Geraldton council to vote on Chapman Road activation project phase two, with change to snaked design

A controversial project trialled along part of Chapman Road in the CBD in a bid to slow traffic will undergo its next phase if approved at next week’s council meeting.

The City of Greater Geraldton will vote to approve the second phase of the Chapman Road activation project, but will make changes to its original design, expected to include straightening of the snaked road trialled since September 24, 2021.

If given the green light, the updated road will remain as a two-way single lane with a maximum speed limit of 30km/h, but will revert into a straight lane, removing the disputed snaked layout.

The proposal said feedback from Main Roads WA allowed the trial to be extended and the council would implement five recommendations over two months and allocate a budget of $100,000.

The second phase will include on-street parking or provide a dedicated cycling lane and placement of physical boundaries to delineate pedestrian and vehicle spaces, as well as adjust merging and demerging sections along the street.

The 12-month trial with RAC was designed to reduce speed, enhance movement networks and increase pedestrian and cycling use in the CBD.

Positive trial results resulted in vehicles slowing from 47.5km/h to 33km/h on average, improved public amenity, increased cyclist and pedestrian use and little to no traffic congestion.

Unsuccessful trial outcomes included driver frustration with the snaked lane, failure to remain inside designated lanes, some congestion during peak hours and pedestrians feeling unsafe without kerbs barricading them from the road.

City of Greater Geraldton councillors will discuss the matter at its agenda forum on Tuesday and will vote on it at next Tuesday’s full council meeting.

Mayor Shane Van Styn said: “The council might choose something completely different, we could put it back to how it was, it could remain the same. It will all depend on their decision.”