Great Ocean Road Upgrade

Project Description

The project completed planning and design work and undertook various upgrades to improve the quality and standard of the Great Ocean Road. The project upgraded pavement, stabilised cliff and land slip sites, strengthened bridges, replaced guardrails, improved drainage assets and removed vegetation at selected locations between Torquay and Allansford.  This project is complemented by another ongoing project  to upgrade the Great Ocean Road, to which the Australian and Victorian governments are each contributing $25 million.

Benefits

The Great Ocean Road is a 243km road that extends from Torquay to Allansford capturing a significant length of the south-west coast of Victoria. The Great Ocean Road is considered one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives, and links numerous tourism villages and destinations along the coast as well as providing access to famous attractions such as the Twelve Apostles and Bells Beach.

However the combined effect of age, heavy rainfall, sandy soils, salt corrosion and tourist traffic has increased the deterioration of the Great Ocean Road. Land slips, rock falls and drainage issues are frequent which temporarily close sections of the road or reduce the number of lanes available for motorists. This not only reduces the efficiency of the road but also reduces safety, particularly for tourists who are unfamiliar or unaccustomed to local driving conditions. The project addressed these issues and reduced vehicle operating costs.

Funding

The estimated cost of the project was $50 million. The Australian Government contributed $25 million and the Victorian Government $25 million.

Timetable

Construction commenced in August 2014 and was considered complete in May 2018.