But Ballarat City Council believes that proposed changes to Mair St, flagged in its CBD draft plan, will make it a dream run for motorists crossing the city centre.

Those changes would make the street the city's major road for through-traffic, from Princess St in the east to Dawson St in the west.

The plan suggests the street could be made into two lanes in both directions, with turning lanes added to improve traffic flow.

The street's traffic capacity would be increased by the addition of improved signage, new line-marking and reconfiguration of on-street car parking.

Bike lanes will be added, and it is understood the changes will include the sequencing of traffic signals along the street.

Ballarat City Council growth and development portfolio councillor, Cr Craig Fletcher, said the works were central to the council's plan's for the CBD.

"The vision contained in the CBD strategy will come to fruition only once we have the traffic management issues completely sorted," Cr Fletcher said.

"Once we get the traffic right it will really function well."

Trees, seating and new landscaping would be done.

New development along the street, including buildings of up to six storeys to the east and four to the west of Grenville St, would be encouraged.

The council's CBD plan project manager Brett Davis said the street could feature cutting-edge architecture, which would contrast with heritage buildings elsewhere in the city.

"One of the things we're trying to encourage is (the idea that) buildings built in Mair St will be tomorrow's heritage."

The plan recommends an investment prospectus be developed for Mair St, and existing land owners be approached to discuss options for their sites.