Highway alert

INCREASED traffic has put pressure on the Bass Highway.
Residents along the highway between Inverloch and Leongatha have called for upgrades as part of Regional Roads Victoria’s Anderson to Leongatha master plan for the highway.
Inverloch’s Deb Scott said the increase in cars, trucks, bikes, tractors and buses has caused the road to deteriorate.
“The highway was never built to carry the huge traffic loads, most of all heavy trucks and buses. Over the years, bandaid repairs have been carried out. The big problems have never been addressed – the foundation, shoulders and width,” she said.
“Our farmers use this road with their tractors. They are incredibly important to us, but there is no room to pull over or overtake. This is also an issue for our cyclists.”
Shoulder width was flagged as an issue by cyclists and truck drivers during Regional Roads Victoria’s engagement process, which started in December last year. Others called for a turning lane onto Pound Creek Road, passing lanes and works to seal the road.
Regional Roads Victoria confirmed shoulder width along the highway had been flagged as a priority project, as well as more places to overtake and turn safely at intersections.
Resident Warren Redmond agreed more had to be done to ensure the road was built to last.
“What we need is to prepare for these heavier trucks,” he said.
“After a rain event, water needs to be kept off the road. With better drainage, the road will be maintained a lot longer.”
Mr Redmond said this could be achieved by keeping the long grass by the road short so stormwater can runoff properly.
Visibility and potholes also pose a threat to motorists.
Funded through the State Government’s $21 million Planning Our Future program, the Bass Highway Planning Study cost $500,000. Hundreds of public comments were received. Acting Regional Roads Victoria Eastern Region director Pas Monacella said, “Our aim is to go back to the community soon to present concept plans for these potential future improvements.”
Many people also wanted to see duplicating lanes along the highway.
Others wanted to see improved traffic flow throughout Wonthaggi.

Improvements needed: Inverloch resident Deb Scott hopes the shoulders and the surface of the Bass Highway will be improved as part of Regional Roads Victoria’s Anderson to Leongatha master plan for the highway.

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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Nov 20 2018. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry