OPERATION FREE THE CBD
The State Government and City Hall are investigating routes to stop 3000 trucks from flooding Geelong’s CBD every day
OPTIONS to stop almost 3000 trucks flooding Geelong’s CBD each day are being considered by the State Government.
The perennial issue of trucks in Ryrie St and central Geelong was thrust into the spotlight last year when City Hall vowed to develop a plan to tackle the problem.
Now, the Transport Department has revealed it is working with the City of Greater Geelong and other agencies to develop alternative routes following a detailed review and assessment process.
“We’ve been working closely with other agencies and council to give trucks a better path around Central Geelong, so they can get to their destination without going through the CBD,” a department spokesman said.
“Potential options such as alternative routes and better traffic signal co-ordination can give heavy vehicles and other road users in Geelong and Bellarine an easier passage through and around town.”
Under review recommendations, trucks could be: RESTRICTED from Ryrie St at certain times; ENCOURAGED to take alternative routes when approaching Geelong; and/or, DIVERTED along McKillop St, Fyans St and Breakwater Rd, which would be fitted with infrastructure including better intersections and mountable curbs.
The review also recom- mended better signal coordination to support the passage of trucks and to ensure changes in freight movement and its impact on central Geelong was a key consideration when planning approvals were granted.
It is understood restricting trucks from Ryrie St would be more likely if and when the Bellarine Link came to fruition.
Geelong Mayor Bruce Harwood said multiple options needed to be explored.
“I’m a great believer that we should be using alternative routes,” Cr Harwood said.
“You could mount the argument that it (heavy vehicle use) does have a negative impact on Ryrie St.”
Removing trucks from central Geelong has been identified as a required project in the G21 region road transport plan 2017-27 and was considered in the review of the draft Central Geelong transport network operating plan.
Figures show about 2800 heavy vehicles used Ryrie St between La Trobe Tce and Garden St each day last year.
City of Greater Geelong director of city services Guy Wilson-Browne said the council was continuing to investigate short and long-term initiatives to encourage trucks travelling east-west to use routes outside central Geelong.
“Transport for Victoria is also currently reviewing Central Geelong’s Transport Network Operating Plan, which will identify the best ways for pedestrians, cyclists, public transport, vehicles and trucks to access and move through Central Geelong,” Mr Wilson-Browne said.
He said potential dates for a rollout of the plans had not been confirmed.
Truck restrictions have previously been introduced by the council on Malop and Mercer streets.
Speed limits have also been dropped to 40km/h in the CBD to encourage more cyclists and pedestrians.
“I’m a great believer that we should be using alternative routes.”
GEELONG MAYOR BRUCE HARWOOD