The Australian Government has invested $5 million to deliver safety improvements at the intersection of Grubb Road and Smithton Grove, Ocean Grove.
Regional Roads Victoria is working to reduce congestion and improve safety for all road users accessing the industrial estate along Grubb Road, Ocean Grove.
This improvement involves the installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Grubb Road and Smithton Grove. Traffic lights will provide a safer and more predictable interaction of vehicles, controlling the movement of traffic into and out of the busy industrial estate. The upgrade will also provide a safer, more predictable environment for pedestrians and cyclists.
Service relocations are due to begin in late 2022 with construction on the intersection of Grubb Road and Smithton Grove estimated to start in 2023.
What we’re doing
To make this intersection safer and more efficient, we will:
- install new traffic lights, to better control the movement of vehicles
- install new dedicated turning lanes to create separation between traffic movements and improve traffic flow on Grubb Road
- install pedestrian operated crossings on Grubb Road and Smithton Grove
- install a new traffic island and line markings at the entry/exit of the service lane between Smithton Grove and Adco Grove, to make it easier to navigate
- upgrade street lighting to improve visibility for all road users at the intersection
- install new bus bays on both sides of Grubb Road
- install a new footpath for pedestrians to easily access the new bus bays.
The improvements have also been designed to complement future growth and development along Grubb Road, including increased traffic volumes and allowing for future pedestrian and cyclist connections.
What this means for you
Crews will be on-site Monday to Friday during daylight hours. Some weekend work may occur if necessary. During works, drivers will experience the following disruptions:
- a reduced speed of 40km/h through the worksite to protect workers and all road users
- lane closures with traffic management in place to guide you through the worksite
- in some locations, the road may be reduced to one lane. Please take care when travelling through these work zones
- signed detours may be required from time to time
- please allow up to five minutes extra travel time when travelling through the area
- crews will aim to minimise delays and impact to access as much as possible.
Why we’re improving safety at this location
Community feedback and detailed traffic modelling has identified a need to improve access to the industrial estate.
The intersection of Grubb Road and Smithton Grove was identified because:
- Smithton Grove is centrally located within the industrial estate, offering improved traffic distribution
- Sinclair Street already has turning provisions and operates efficiently compared to Smithton Grove
- there are physical (available space) and environmental (vegetation) constraints at Adco Grove
- the intersection at Smithton Grove has recorded two crashes over a five-year period (to December 2020) compared to Adco Grove (one crash) and Sinclair Street (no crashes)
- predicted traffic volume growth in this area would likely lead to more crashes without an upgrade.