Council
20 January, 2022
Feasibility study begins on alternate truck route
A feasibility study for an alternative truck route around Horsham is in the works and is set to be completed in 12 months.
A FEASIBILITY study for an alternative truck route around Horsham is in the works and is set to be completed in 12 months.
Horsham Rural City Council committed $100,000 in its current budget to work with the Department of Transport on reducing heavy vehicles in the city of Horsham.
The federal government has contributed $150,000 to the project.
Horsham Rural City Council mayor said an alternative truck route was something the community had been calling for, for some time.
“This will look at what could be a viable option to solve the challenges and concerns of having trucks on Wilson Street, Baillie Street and McPherson Street,” she said.
“We acknowledge that some trucks have to come through the city but here are trucks that come through and don’t need to.
“An alternative route would let trucks go about their work with the least impact on other road users.”
Horsham Rural City Council chief executive Sunil Bhalla said the joint study would not consider a Western Highway bypass, but rather what options were achievable for alternative truck routes around Horsham.
“Along with the Western Highway, many heavy vehicles are entering Horsham’s streets via the Wimmera and Henty Highways and this provides challenges for both the trucking industry and our residents,” he said.
“This study is about looking at possible routes for heavy vehicles that do not originate or terminate in Horsham to travel around the city instead of through the centre.
“This is not about a bypass, the DoT has no plans to continue work on the previously proposed Horsham bypass.”
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Mr Bhalla said if an alternative truck route was feasible, it would likely include the construction of a second road bridge across the Wimmera River.
“Council has recognised that a second road bridge has been an emerging need for a number of years,” he said.
“The purpose of the feasibility study is to firstly determine whether any achievable options exist. If there is more than one potential route, the second step would be to establish a preferred option.
“Cultural heritage will be a major consideration.”
Cr Gulline said the route was identified in the 2019 urban transport plan.
“The plan highlighted how important an alternate truck route and second vehicle bridge would be for Horsham,” she said.
“It’s great that other tiers of government are coming on board with this as it's in everyone’s best interest.
“It is possible that at the end of the study there may not be a feasible option, or there may be one or two that could be considered.”
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Cr Gulline said if possible and after more consultation, the state and federal governments would be in control of funding and the final decision.
“At this stage, we just need to follow the process through,” she said.
“There are constraints in all directions with the river and other infrastructure and cultural heritage in the area.
“We won’t know what could happen until the experts have finished their assessments.”
The feasibility study is due to be completed by January 2023.