This sector of the city has undergone a massive change over the past decade.

The expansion of Alfredton and Delacombe, and development of Lucas into the rural fringe has completely changed traffic patterns. The western approaches now carry some of the city’s heaviest peak-hour traffic volumes.

Roundabouts are being used as a key tool in managing traffic flow, but are these proving enough and will they prove to be enough down the track?

They certainly do help, but there are examples where the answer to this question in an emphatic no.

What Ballarat does lack is dual lane thoroughfares as key arterials.

The redevelopment of Remembrance Drive immediately west of the Arch of Victory is a fine example of the benefits of dual carriageways.

What an assistance it would be to the movement of traffic if the same was done in Learmonth Street and Wiltshire Lane, as well as Gillies Street south of Sturt Street where, on a regular school and work morning, there is one of the biggest bank-ups of traffic in the city.

This is an area which, with the continued push west, will become busier.

It is critical that all forward planning gets it right. 

Don’t be satisfied to ease the existing bottlenecks as they now stand.

Imagine those which will almost certainly develop around the likes of Lucas in approaches such as Cuthberts Road.

Single lanes will be OK for now, but for how long?

Let’s get ahead of it and stay ahead.