Full review on Wangaratta CBD exit

Published by Wangaratta Chronicle 30.07.08 ... archived 31.07.08

Council probes new northern arterial road to ease traffic

Written by PHILIP NOLAN.

THE Rural City of Wangaratta is to undertake a full review of the possibility of a new northern end arterial road to relieve city centre congestion.

Council officers are currrently preparing a brief on what would be a multi million dollar project and it will be considered at full council within the next two months.

City mayor Roberto Paino confirmed that work had begun on a preliminary investigation into the plan, which was first put forward over four years ago.

It involves the continuation of Evans Street in front of the Wangaratta Showgrounds across the Ovens River, through the North Wangaratta flood plain and around the rear of Painters Island Caravan Park.

The new road would then meet up with Bickerton Street and Parfitt Road at the Great Alpine Road intersection.

And the original plan also allows for the re-birth of a vehicular traffic bridge across the river at Ovens St near the Sydney Hotel.

Cr Paino said the plan could not progress until it has been considered by the full council.

"It is fair to say that it will be put for consideration for council in the near future, and we will see where it goes from there," he said.

Cr Paino declined to offer a personal view of the proposal until it has gone before a council meeting.

However, the new chairman of Business Wangaratta, Anthony Newman, said that he felt the proposal contained a "deal of merit".

"I am not too sure what re-opening the end of Ovens Street would achieve, but certainly the idea of relieving congestion and getting heavy traffic such as trucks out of the city centre has appeal.

"I am sure Business Wangaratta would be very keen to take a close look at whatever is being proposed.

"There is no doubt that another bridge crossing is essential if we want the city to continue to grow," he said.

One of the major concerns with the proposed new road would be that its full length will be across a flood plain, and according to the North East Catchment Management Authority, this would require extensive investigation.

NECMA’s flood plain manager, Roel Von’tsteen, said the plan had been raised several years ago but had not been looked at in any official capacity.

"Obviously the impact that it might have on the flood plain would need to be assessed. There would have to be a thorough environmental impact statement prepared," he said.