Shire seeks funds to fix bridge blackspot near Moriac

THE Surf Coast Shire will seek funding to improve the safety of part of Mount Duneed Road.

The stretch of road just east of Moriac that snakes under the railway bridge has been identified by the council as ‘particularly dangerous’.

The council will now apply for one of Regional Roads Victoria‘s 2020-21 Blackspot grants.

Having analysed the various options, the council decided that the high amount of accidents that occurred on this small section of road made it the leading candidate for funding.

The council is applying for $950,000 for shoulder widening, anti-skid surfacing, guardrail and street lights.

At their December 10 meeting, Cr Brian McKiterick said this part of road was in dire need of improvement.

“It is a very dangerous spot. It’s actually an S-bend through a very narrow and low bridge and there have been a number of heavy vehicles that have been stuck under there.

“It not only causes drama for motorists, but can affect the railway line due to structural damage to the bridge.”

Cr Heather Wellington said the road needed improvement, and that she personally found it dangerous when driving on it.

“I drive that road at night and it’s terrifying, actually. It’s very isolated. If you had a bad accident there at night, it could actually take a long time to be found.

“It’s hugely dangerous and it would be fantastic to get this money.”

If the grant is successful there will be no financial contribution required by the council.

Cr McKiterick also noted the council had previously benefited from similar funding schemes.

In recent years, the shire has been given a $170,000 grant for improvements on Coombes Road and a $340,000 grant for Gum Flats Road.

The motion to pursue the grant was unanimously passed by councillors.