GEELONG is buckling under traffic congestion and crowded public transport, an RACV report has found.
RACV public policy manager Brian Negus said the city was “struggling to provide sufficient transport infrastructure for a growing population”.
The report, Growing Pains in Regional Victoria, called for whichever party won government in this month’s state election to guarantee duplication of the Princes Hwy through to Colac.
“The duplication, including widening and upgrading the highway to a four-lane divided road to improve safety, travel times and reliability, is a matter of urgency,” Mr Negus said.
“With greater Geelong’s population set to hit almost 302,000 by 2031, future planning is vital.
“The new government must ensure that Geelong’s population growth is planned for and infrastructure upgraded to cater for future needs and liveability.
“Geelong needs good road and public transport connections within the city as well as to the broader region that Geelong supports.”
Mr Negus said the RACV priority list for Geelong included duplication of Barwon Heads Rd, Bacchus Marsh Rd and Midland Hwy and building a Drysdale bypass.
The list also included an east-west connector, Avalon Airport transport connections, improved coach services to Ballarat, better train services to Warrnambool and buses to Armstrong Creek.
An RACV survey rated Geelong transport infrastructure, including trains, buses, roads and highways, bike paths and footpaths as average.
