by Luke Voogt
A community watchdog and a councillor have called for a road bypassing central Geelong as City Hall plans to push trucks out of the CBD.
Ratepayers Geelong president Peter Mitchell and councillor Eddy Kontelj called for a bypass to the Bellarine Penisula following the release of council’s draft Transport and Network Operating Plan.
“I believe we need a bridge across Corio Bay,” Cr Kontelj said.
“Unless we take drastic action such as this, our east-west congestion will only get worse.
“There is a call to direct trucks away from Ryrie St using signage but that’s unlikely to have an impact.”
Cr Kontelj said the east-west link through central Geelong needed “significant thought”.
“There will need to be major infrastructure improvements to encourage trucks to choose a route other than Ryrie St, because at the moment an efficient alternative does not exist.”
The draft traffic plan designates McKillop and Fyans Sts and Breakwater Rd as future east-west freight routes in a bid to divert trucks from Ryrie St.
The plan also cites the proposed Bellarine link, a long-planned extension of the Geelong Ring Road to Bellarine Hwy, as a potential freight route.
According to City Hall, 26,000 vehicles drive on Ryrie St per day, including 2500 not stopping in central Geelong.
About 2500 trucks drive on the street per day, with 500 passing through the city.
An extra 293 trucks per day drove along Ryrie St since the introduction of restrictions on Malop St, according to City Hall.
Ratepayers Geelong president Peter Mitchell agreed Geelong desperately needed a bypass for trucks.
But he said Cr Kontelj was “dreaming” about a bridge across the bay, saying the idea had been around for decades.
“It’s a cool idea but I’ll believe it when I see it.”
The bridge could also create obstacles for marine vessels entering Corio Bay, he added.
Mr Mitchell described the “residential” McKillop St, which connects to Bellarine Hwy, as a poor route for trucks due to its surface, slopes and railway crossing.
“There are a number of schools and emergency services down there which you don’t want trucks passing,” he said.
“It’s also a tight corner on a downhill stretch and any sizable truck would have trouble making that turn (from Latrobe Tce).”
Fyans St and Breakwater Rd were better freight routes but lacked direct connections to Bellarine Hwy, Mr Mitchell said.
“There would need to be some work done to bring them up to speed for what they would need to be.”
Mr Mitchell said he supported the proposed extension of Geelong Ring Road to Bellarine Hwy.
