Funding further duplication of the Barwon Heads Road is a sad example of short-term thinking regarding transport planning in Greater Geelong.
Politicians are keen to finance road expansion, rather than investing in an effective solution to our growing congestion problem; public transport.
Additional road space provides only temporary relief before it fills up again, increasing existing congestion and parking challenges.
Governments continue to prioritise road expansion over an integrated transport mix that features reliable and frequent public transport.
Fast-growing Armstrong Creek is very poorly served.
New bus routes are urgently needed to cater for emerging developments.
The few existing routes need more frequent services to meet demand. Without them, residents have little choice but to drive, further worsening congestion on Barwon Heads Road.
The duplication project must include bus-priority measures.
Without them, buses will be stuck in traffic, making them less reliable.
If the goal is to future-proof our transport network, ensuring buses move efficiently is essential.
Jarred Crowe, Public Transport Users Association, Geelong Branch Convenor
Published in the Geelong Advertiser, 28/3/2025