Drysdale bypass set for drawing board

A DRYSDALE bypass is on the drawing board six years after the Geelong Independent first reported calls for a solution to the town’s traffic-snarl nightmare.
State Government has allocated $500,000 for planning the bypass in the next financial year.
Liberal MP David Koch said the planning would investigate options and develop a business case to fix the town’s “traffic issues”, including a bypass.
“This announcement from the Victorian Coalition Government will identify the best option to improve traffic flow and safety through and around Drysdale, reduce the number of trucks through the town centre and improve township amenity, something I am sure the locals will appreciate.” Mr Koch said.
“With the growing population on the Bellarine Peninsula and increased tourism in the area, it is important to do a thorough assessment of economic, cultural, social and environmental issues associated with the transport network in Drysdale.
“Local community members will be kept informed throughout the duration of the planning as we recognise the importance of working with them and listening to what they say they want for their town.”
Liberal candidate for Bellarine Ron Nelson said he was “excited”.
“Geelong-Portarlington road carries a single lane of traffic in each direction and operates as an integral north-south and east-west link. With this continued traffic growth an investigation into transport solutions is required as a matter of priority,” Mr Nelson said.
“Carrying out the planning will also provide greater certainty around land-use developments surrounding Drysdale.”
The town’s peak-hour bottleneck at a roundabout immediately west of Drysdale on Portarlington-Geelong Rd emerged as a public issue after the Independent surveyed motorists in the snarl six years ago.
Their frustrations prompted the town’s community association to call for investigations of potential solutions including a bypass.
Mr Koch responded in June 2008, calling for the then-Labor government to investigate building the bypass so motorists could avoid the roundabout.