Great Ocean Road update - August 2015
Big Hill – Cathedral Rock – Reedy Creek – Smythe Creek
Work to prevent rocks falling onto the Great Ocean Road continues at three locations east of Lorne where VicRoads contractors are working to stabilise cliff faces.
Much of the rehabilitation works along the 3 km Big Hill - Cathedral Hill – Reedy Creek section of Great Ocean Road involves hand-removal of loose rocks and lopping vegetation to encourage regrowth, which can only be done by abseiling down the batter and working directly on the cliff face.
Once rock anchors are installed along the cliff-top, the wire netting is lifted into place using a crane. The netting is then rolled down to follow the contours of the cliff formation. Our pics are taken at Big Hill.
This 10-week project involves hand-removal of loose rocks and lopping vegetation by abseiling down the batter and working directly on the rock face.
Rock anchors are installed along the cliff-top at varying heights of 20 to 40 metres and then wire netting is lifted into place using a crane.
This type of wire netting follows the natural contours of the cliff face, is not as obtrusive as other products, and once secured, the pre-existing vegetation will regrow through the netting.
VicRoads has consulted with Heritage Victoria to complete this 3 km stretch of works, which will be completed by the end of August.
Anglesea
Work to fix a one kilometre stretch of the Great Ocean Road in Anglesea, between the Anglesea River bridge and the surf club has started.
This section of road is in poor condition with constant traffic travelling through Anglesea as one of the first key towns along the Great Ocean Road. It is also a wetter area due to its proximity to the ocean and the Anglesea River, which has degraded the road surface.
The Anglesea community and tourists will reap the benefits from these works which will improve the road and eliminate potholes and rough areas.
Up to 22,000 vehicles can pass through Anglesea in the peak holiday season and this project will ensure the road continues to provide a safe, smooth and more even road surface for everyone.
Work is expected to be complete by the end of 2015.
Other locations
Installation of a concrete retaining wall along the Great Ocean Road just east of Smythe Creek will be completed within the next two weeks.
Speed restrictions
We urge drivers to be considerate of the safety of road workers, and we encourage road users to slow down around work sites and to be patient. Speed restrictions will continue while works are in progress. Motorists may experience minor traffic delays of up to five minutes.
Winter slow-down
Throughout the wetter, cooler months of August, some roadworks across the region are temporarily put on hold due to the weather-dependent nature of road work.
Potholes occur when water seeps through the road surface and causes the seal on the road to lift. Due to the high traffic volumes and weight on the Great Ocean Road, cracks sometimes appear which gradually turn into rough patches and potholes form.
During winter, VicRoads temporarily fixes potholes and other road defects until a more permanent fix can be applied later in the year, when weather conditions improve and the road is dry.
Before you travel
Before you travel, check the VicRoads website or the VicTraffic app to find out expected travel times and to make sure there aren't any traffic alerts, roadworks or events likely to impact your intended route.
Reporting hazards
People are encouraged to call 13 11 70 to report road hazards and to visit the VicRoads VicTraffic website and App which provides live traffic information about emergency road closures, traffic alerts, freeway travel time and traffic flow across the network.
More information from VicRoads
For more information about the upgrade programme, visit www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/planning-and-projects/regional-road-projects/great-ocean-road
Contact VicRoads
Email:
Write to:VicRoads Great Ocean Road Project Director, 180 Fyans Street South Geelong, Victoria 3220