Bypass assures ‘consistency’

The bypass is proposed to be a 100km/h stretch of road. 139398_01 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

By ANEEKA SIMONIS

THE traffic in Kooweerup is certainly a lot lighter since the long-awaited bypass was opened earlier this month – but is it the fastest way to get in and out of town?
A series of time trials were carried out by the Pakenham Gazette which revealed little difference in the speed it takes to travel in or out of town via the bypass as compared to the regular town route.
But VicRoads said it was consistency that motorists could expect from the newly unveiled $66 million road project.
“Travel times will be more consistent as motorists will not be delayed by the congestion previously experienced within the Kooweerup township, resulting in improved traffic flow for through traffic and enhanced access for local traffic accessing services within the Kooweerup township,” said VicRoads South Eastern Projects director Charlie Broadhurst.
The 3.4 kilometre bypass has a current set speed limit of 60km/h as the road settles.
A series of speed trials from the Manks Road intersection through to the corner of Sybella Avenue and South Gippsland Highway in Kooweerup found that, under the current speed limitations, it is faster to travel through the town than via the bypass.
VicRoads is expected to increase the bypass speed limit to 100km/h within the month which will speed up travel times without the inconsistencies previously experienced by motorists in the township as they battle unpredictable, often chaotic, traffic.
The bypass has one road in each direction that connects to Manks and McKays roads in the north and Rossiter Road to the south with newly constructed roundabouts.
The T-intersection of Rossiter Road and the South Gippsland Highway was also converted into a roundabout.
The bypass, which cuts through an environmentally sensitive area, included several construction side projects to manage local drainage, water flow and flora and fauna habitat.
Habitat areas for the growling grass frog and the southern brown bandicoot, both native and endangered species, were constructed on either side of the bypass.