Traffic Impact On Surrounding Roads
Whilst the construction of Eastlink alleviated congestion on Springvale Road, it has had the effect of funnelling the traffic onto other roads, particularly increasing traffic on the Eastern Freeway. Many local councils, organisation, community groups and individuals expressed concerns throughout the proposal and construction phases, over the alterations to traffic patterns and flows and how Eastlink would impact upon local roads in their respective areas. In 2009, the City of Manningham was able to conduct a traffic report which found that:
- Traffic on the Eastern Freeway increased "significantly"
- Travel times in peak and off-peak periods at the Eastern Freeway/Hoddle Street interchange had increased "significantly"
- Peak hour congestion at the Eastern Freeway/Bulleen Road interchange had increased.
- 20% decrease in traffic at the Springvale Road outbound offramp.
- 13% increase in traffic on Bulleen Road north of the Eastern Freeway.
- 13% decrease in traffic on Park Road, between Heads & Mitcham Roads.
- 11% decrease in traffic on Doncaster Road, west of Middleborough Road.
- 8% increase in traffic on Fitzsimmons Lane, north of Porter Street.
- 2% increase in traffic on Manningham Road.
- 2% decrease in traffic on Reynolds Road, between Blackburn Road and Springvale Road.
Another study conducted by Banyule Council showed that, since EastLink opened in June 2008, 800 more trucks a day use main roads in Heidelberg and Rosanna.
In general, it appears as though Eastlink has funnelled large amounts of traffic onto the Eastern Freeway and has attracted an increase in commuters using arterial roads in local areas. Decreases appear to be on small stretches of local roads where Eastlink provides a quicker alternative.
Read more about this topic: EastLink (Melbourne)
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