MOTORISTS on the Bass Highway, between Anderson and Wonthaggi, be warned.
On Friday morning, September 20, the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning finally turned on the traffic lights at the pedestrian crossing in the middle of Kilcunda.
And finally, it’s safe for people to cross the highway from the busy Bass Coast Rail Trail and the popular Kilcunda Oceanview Holiday Park to the shops and the Killy Pub on the other side. Phew!
And what a view!
It would be hard to imagine a more spectacular view as you safely cross the road, looking over the magnificent ocean vista along the rugged Kilcunda Surf Beach.
Turning on the lights was a major milestone in the $7.8 million Kilcunda safety and access improvement project.
And while there’s been plenty of pain for the retailers, who’ve taken the opportunity to do some renovating themselves, it’s all finally starting to look shipshape again.
The Victorian Government has invested almost $8 million in the location to improve traffic flow, safety and accessibility within the Kilcunda township.
They’ve completed road widening and drainage works for the westbound lane towards Melbourne and similar works on the eastbound lane are well advanced.
Underground works to prepare for new street lighting and new pedestrian signals have been completed and upgrades to existing street lighting are also virtually complete.
Works in progress include:
* Installation of new street lighting poles
* A new layer of road surface along the length of the project
* Construction of concrete kerbing and traffic islands, the new service road, new bus stops and shelters
* Installation of new pedestrian operated signals across the Bass Highway
* Preparing for landscaping along the length of the project.
The project is on track for completion in late 2024.
Traffic impacts
Traffic management is still in place with a reduced speed of 40km/h to allow you to safely navigate the area whilst works are being undertaken.
Delays of up to five minutes are possible so please plan ahead and drive to the conditions for the safety of our workers, other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
The upgrades will include:
* Pedestrian operated traffic lights opposite Kilcunda General Store to improve pedestrian safety and access to and from the Bass Coast Rail Trail and main retail area in Kilcunda.
* Increased car parking with 39 new car parks being created (including two disabled car parks).
* Dedicated right-turn lane into Kilcunda Foreshore Reserve and Bass Highway Service Road to improve safety and access for road users.
* Dedicated left and right-turn lanes into the caravan park/holiday retreat entrance, Kilcunda Ridge Road, Peppermint Road, Carew Street.
* New concrete footpath connecting the pedestrian operated traffic signals facility with the Bass Coast Rail Trail.
* Pedestrian refuge on Bass Highway at Bass Coast Rail Trail crossing point.
* New bus stop facilities each side of Bass Highway.
* New streetlighting to improve pedestrian safety and visibility for both pedestrians and road users.
* Painted median/separation of opposing traffic from west of Kilcunda Ridge Road to west of Ridgeway Road, to reduce the risk of crashes.
Benefits
The key benefits include:
* Improved pedestrian access and safety crossing Bass Highway
* Improved traffic flow through Kilcunda
* Increased car parking
* Improved access to and from Bass Highway
* Improved access to public transport services