State government seeks feedback on Surf Coast Highway through Armstrong Creek

THE state government is calling for feedback on the future of one of the major roads running through Armstrong Creek.

The $1.575 million Surf Coast Highway Corridor Improvement Study, which is being run by Regional Roads Victoria, is focusing on better safety, accessibility, capacity, and sustainability along the 7.4km stretch of the highway between Settlement Road in Belmont to the north and the Mount Duneed Road roundabout to the south.

The state government says community input will help inform the study, with local residents asked to share their priorities for potential upgrades, ideas of how to improve the road and the present challenges they face using the highway.

Businesses will also play a key role, as local enterprises, owners, and operators have been encouraged to detail how customers get access to their establishments and what impact the Surf Coast Highway has on their business operations.

The study will deliver a business case detailing both short-term and long-term infrastructure solutions on the Surf Coast Highway, which is used by more than 30,000 vehicles every day.

Accessibility to schools and businesses, journey times, and safety along the corridor will all be considered.

“We want to hear from all local residents, business owners and community leaders, so we have a true community-based approach to identifying and shaping the area’s future road needs,” South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said.

As well as in the major growth area of Armstrong Creek itself, the population is growing in the surrounding suburbs of Belmont, Marshall and Grovedale, as well as to the south in the Surf Coast Shire, where the population is expected to swell from 32,000 now to more than 45,000 by 2036.

There have been several works recently completed along the Surf Coast Highway to accommodate the rising number of nearby residents and road users.

About 1.6km of road was resealed on the Geelong-bound lanes between Dickins Road and Mt Duneed Road in February this year.

In June, speed limits were lowered to 60kmh between Settlement Road and the railway crossing at Grovedale, and to 70kmh between Boundary Road and Lower Duneed Road.

In recent years, more than $3.1 million of flexible safety barriers have been installed along the highway.

Future plans include the removal of the level crossing on the Surf Coast Highway in Grovedale as part of the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds railway duplication to improve traffic flow and safety for motorists.

“The Surf Coast Highway Corridor Improvements Study will have a lasting impact on how we develop and plan along this busy route for years to come,” Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said.

The Department of Transport will also be hosting community pop-up stalls in the coming weeks, including in Torquay on September 15 and Grovedale on September 20.

For more information or to submit feedback before September 30, head to engage.vic.gov.au/SurfCoastHighway.