Two-way streets good for business? It's an each-way bet

UPDATE: A SMALL majority believe more two-way streets will improve business in the Toowoomba CBD

Researchers say changing all of Victoria, Russell and Neil Sts to dual-directional roads would cut traffic on the intersection of Ruthven and Margaret Sts by 390 vehicles per hour by 2026. Picture: Kevin Farmer

UPDATE: A SMALL majority believe more two-way streets will improve business in the Toowoomba CBD

Fifty-nine per cent of the 102 people who voted in The Chronicle's online poll agreed changes to traffic flow would improve doing business in the city.

A study showed the move would cut traffic congestion by 20 to 30 per cent along the core section of Ruthven St.

However, 41% did not agree that Toowoomba Regional Council's decision to return Victoria, Russell and Neil Sts to their bi-directional roots would be good for business.

Online comments have also been critical of more two-way streets.

 

 

YESTERDAY: TWO-WAY streets are coming back to the city centre after a decision by council to return Victoria, Russell and Neil Sts to their bi-directional roots.

The resolution was made final yesterday, with only Crs Anne Glasheen and Sue Englart voting to keep the streets in their current form.

Infrastructure committee chair Cr Carol Taylor said the decision was bolstered by a study showing traffic gridlock would be greatly reduced by the change.

"Council was concerned about it back in February, so we got Hyder Consulting back to have another look," she said.

The projections showed "two-waying" would reduce future volumes of traffic by 20 to 30 per cent along the core section of Ruthven St.

"It also showed that a two-way operation would reduce traffic at the Margaret/Ruthven St intersection by 390 vehicles an hour," Cr Taylor said.

The plan had been criticised by Crs Glasheen and Englart for counteracting the efforts of the looming Outer Circulating Road project to divert transit traffic from the city centre.

Cr Taylor said it would be prevented by measures including traffic light phasing and speed reductions.

"It's a matter of changing habits ..." she said.

"If we can bring the city centre back to the people, without having to dodge all the cars racing through, it will be a much more attractive place.

"That will help the local businesses."

Work will begin late this year.

Originally published as Two-way streets good for business? It's an each-way bet