Roadwork blitz planned for Torquay North

SEVERAL road upgrades in Torquay North and elsewhere in the town are planned for the coming months to improve road safety and traffic flow.

Coombes Road will be reconstructed and widened from the Surf Coast Highway to Messmate Road in a $2.35 million project that has been brought forward.

The Surf Coast Shire will also defer the construction of the Coombes Road-Messmate Road roundabout until some point after June this year, to allow detours and minimise impacts while the Coombes Road widening and other nearby roadworks are completed.

“We know that these projects often bring disruptions, however we always strive to time them to reduce the impact they have on the community,” shire mayor Liz Pattison said.

The works are in response to crash data analysis, community feedback and growing communities, providing options to move around safely without relying on cars.

Cr Pattison said it was important to improve road safety in growing communities.

“During consultation for our Road Safety Strategy, we heard that speed, intersection safety, pedestrian safety and cyclist safety were important issues in Torquay.

“All of our upcoming roadworks are supporting goals in our Road Safety Strategy, including improving intersection designs and improving pedestrian and cyclist safety.”

Works due to be completed by July:

• Rosser Boulevard, Surf Coast Highway and Coombes Road intersection – upgrade and installation of traffic lights
• Coombes Road between Surf Coast Highway and Messmate Road – widening of the road and surface repair
• Surf Coast Highway and Grossmans Road – intersection upgrade (external development)
• Grossmans Road and Eton Road (school precinct) – new raised pedestrian crossings, partially funded by the Transport Accident Commission
• The Esplanade at Beach Road – new raised pedestrian crossing
• Beach Road (near Kooringa Place) – new pedestrian crossing, funded by the federal government’s Black Spot Program
• Merrijig Drive and Fischer Street – road resurfacing works, funded by the federal government’s Black Spot Program.

Works due to be completed in the 2024-2025 financial year:

• Messmate Road and Coombes Road intersection – new roundabout
• Surf Coast Highway and Bristol Road intersection – traffic light installation and intersection upgrade
• Coombes Road between Messmate Road and Ghazeepore Road – widening of the road and surface repair.

The shire will notify residents affected by its nearby roadworks before they start.

For updates on coming Torquay roadworks, there is an interactive map at surfcoast.vic.gov.au/torquayroads