Highway delays to continue

MAJOR traffic disruptions on the Surf Coast Highway at Grovedale are set to continue well into next month as road crews continue work on a level crossing removal.

A section of the road near Baanip Boulevard has been reduced to one lane as major construction continues on the road upgrade.

The disruption, combined with the ongoing closure of Horseshoe Bend Road and roadworks at Barwon Heads Road for its duplication has created a serious bottleneck at peak travel times – especially southbound in afternoon traffic as commuters leave Geelong for Armstrong Creek and Torquay.

Crews working for Victoria’s Big Build are shifting lanes of the Surf Coast Highway as part of a project to construct a rail bridge over the road, removing the rail crossing at the site.

“To ensure the new elevated rail bridge at Surf Coast Highway can be safely constructed, we are continuing works to realign all lanes of the highway to provide more room for workers within the median strip,” a works notice from earlier this month stated.

“Road realignment works will continue until May 2023. Once in place, two lanes of traffic will be open in each direction of travel.

“There will be speed restrictions and single lane closures in place at times, between the rail line and Baanip Boulevard to facilitate these works.”

A site compound has been established east of the highway, which machinery, heavy vehicles and workers will travel to and from for the duration of works.

Night works are also scheduled to continue 24 hours a day for another week, until May 4.

The rail bridge is due to be completed late next year.