Rounded up: Surf Coast Highway roundabout opens

AFTER months of construction, the roundabout on the intersection of the Surf Coast Highway, Messmate Road and South Beach Road opened last Thursday.

The Surf Coast Shire contributed about $800,000 to the construction, with the roundabout aiming to help improve the safety of drivers and cyclists while also easing traffic congestion.

South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said the roundabout was crucial considering the intersection’s history and the area’s growth.

“We know that this part of Torquay is a growth area – that’s why we’ve invested in this key infrastructure upgrade to ensure everyone can get to where they are going as safely as possible.

“This intersection has a notoriously unsafe history, and that is why we are doing something about it.”

Most crashes in the past were caused by drivers turning right on to the highway from South Beach Road or turning right on to South Beach Road from the highway.

The roundabout is the first in the state to include physical separators.

Along with the shire, Regional Roads Victoria and the Transport Accident Commission were involved in the project.

Thousands of drivers have already passed through the new roundabout, as about 22,000 people use the Surf Coast Highway each day.

A selection of reader comments from the Surf Coast Times Facebook page asking for feedback on the roundabout upgrade:

Melinda Wellard: Think 80 going into the roundabout heading towards Geelong a bit fast.

James Brandt: Living in Torquay “Heights” I find it brilliant. Just can’t believe the stupidity of not sealing South Beach Rd properly, yet council chose to do Messmate Rd. Whoever made that call isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed.

Sherree Dalton: Why was the Anglesea road not increased to 4 lanes????? Why spend $$$$ on barriers and no increase to lanes??? Even 1 lane would have helped to aid the flow of summer traffic!!! Barriers, wasted $$$$$ and on Torquay Rd too. And yes seal Ghazeporre rd.

John Roker: Modern cars with lane detection systems will go nuts.

Bruce Dargavel: Who came up with the little bike safety areas??? They are taking the p*<# surely.

Dallas Fett: Should have dropped to 60 through the intersection, cost 150 bucks (for signs).

Michelle Jones: Fantastic!! I love it!! Free flowing traffic.

Wayne Robinson: What’s with the curbs between lanes everyone’s worried about accidents these things will cause their fair share with the holiday crowd. Yeah drop the speed, that fix it not.

Barbara Lenehan-Hart: What about sealing Gazzeporre Rd?