Next bypass links set for long wait

Alex de Vos
Geelong bypass links to the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula are “a long way off”, Vicroads has warned motorists.
Geelong bypass project manager Tony Hedley said planning for both links would remain on the back burner until governments had signalled they would commit funding.
State and federal government representatives opened stage three of the bypass at Waurn Ponds last month, with completion of a stage four link over the Princes Highway to Anglesea Road scheduled for middle-to-late next year.
Surf Coast Shire Mayor Libby Mears has called for a “free-flowing” Surf Coast link to be “confirmed”. Cr Mears said the link was essential for Surf Coast to cater for growth from the bypass.
Mr Hedley said authorities had drawn up a “broad outline” for a link between Waurn Ponds and the Surf Coast.
The road would run south of the Warrnambool railway line to connect with Surf Coast Highway at “some sort of interchange”.
“There has been some development of where it would physically fit but it’s now dependent on funding,” Mr Hedley said.
Bellarine Peninsula residents would have to wait even longer for a route to link their region with the end of the ring road at Waurn Ponds, he warned.
“Not a lot of active work has been done and it’s a long way off. From a planning point of view, it’s been flagged.”
Mr Hedley said the link would require a new bridge across the Barwon River to the south of the Breakwater to eventually meet Moolap Station Road at the end of Townsend Road.
“But there has been no funding commitment,” he said.
Federal Member for Corangamite Darren Cheese-man said Vicroads had yet to ask for funding for either project.
“Vicroads hasn’t done any formal planning yet but I believe they have some concept plans,” Mr Cheeseman said.
“Once they’ve got that work undertaken I’m sure at some point they’ll speak to the Commonwealth about possible funding.”
The Independent reported last month the bypass had led to an immediate impact on Geelong’s worst bottleneck, with traffic on Latrobe Terrace flowing freely during peak hours.
Mr Hedley said the bypass had created a “significant” improvement on Latrobe Terrace.