Whether it's your annual summer spot or you're planning a trip to visit the Great Ocean Road for the first time: listen up, because we've got some info that you'll want to know.
The famous coastal attraction is set to be impacted by road works for at least the next eight months, due to construction on a bridge that makes up part of the road. Spout Creek Bridge, located about halfway between Anglesea and Lorne, is being completely replaced. The roadworks will mean that 200 metres of the Great Ocean Road will be reduced to a single lane, with temporary traffic lights put in place. When you consider that 6 million tourists visit the are each year, it's essentially a recipe for potentially major traffic delays.
If you've driven into Lorne on a sunny day, chances are you know how hectic the traffic can get on this section of the road, especially in summer. The construction is planned to finish around April 2025 – but it could take longer depending on weather conditions. Either way, it'll be happening throughout the entire peak season, so if you're planning a visit you should definitely allow for extra travel time.
But the construction taking place – which kicked off this month – is worthwhile. Spout Creek Bridge was originally built in 1954 and renovated in 1973, but has remained untouched since, and its structural integrity has been damaged by decades of wear and tear. So it's certainly due for a replacement. The $6 million project will increase the load capacity of the bridge and add higher barriers, to improve safety.
There's quite a bit happening around the Great Ocean Road at the moment, with several exciting new upgrades and developments underway. The harbour of the tiny town of Apollo Bay is getting a massive revamp, and the route's most famous landmark, the 12 Apostles, will get a huge glow up from a spate of new additions. A new lookout just opened at the site, and the attraction is getting a makeover with a new visitor centre and much more. Oh, and a new hot springs is opening just down the road.
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