Alan Davies: Do traffic counts support the case for Melbourne’s East-West Link?

Traffic counts on existing roads along the proposed alignment for Melbourne’s East-West Link show volumes were static or in many cases declined – by as much as 15% – between 2002 and 2011

Annual average daily traffic volumes (AADT) along the route proposed for the East-West Link freeway (source: VicRoads)

The first exhibit shows annual average daily traffic volumes at a number of locations on existing roads along the alignment proposed for stage one of the proposed East-West Link road tunnel. The counts were done by VicRoads and published in February 2013, Arterial road traffic volumes.

The counts represent the sum of all traffic using these road in a year, divided by 365. Westbound volumes (solid line) and eastbound volumes (dotted line) are shown separately. The locations plotted in the first exhibit are:

• Alexandra Parade between (1) Nicholson and Brunswick Sts and (2) Smith and Wellington Sts
• Princes St between Rathdowne and Nicholson
• Elliott Ave  between Flemington Rd and Macarthur Rd

There’s more detail in the second exhibit. Those with a strong interest should download the excel file from VicRoads’ site which includes additional counting locations (these are consistent with the overall trend reported here). Continue Reading…