Geraldton: Plans to straighten snaked section of Chapman Road after Easter revealed but 30km/h limit to stay

Works to straighten the controversial “wiggle” section of Chapman Road should begin in April after a final design is approved by Main Roads, according to Geraldton’s mayor who hopes the 30km/h limit remains. Since December, the City of Greater Geraldton and Main Roads have been in consultation to come up with a new configuration of the Chapman Road activation area, known for its controversial snaked road. CEO Ross McKim said once a final design was approved a schedule to deliver the works would be finalised. “The City is aiming to deliver the project in the coming weeks,” he said. Mayor Shane Van Styn said the changes should be implemented before the Easter school holidays with in-house line marking contractors’ work to finish “expediently”. After community feedback the new layout wasn’t liked, the Stage 2 design will involve straightening the road, but Mr Van Styn said the City hoped to retain the 30km/h speed limit. He said it was uncertain whether Main Roads would approve the reduced speed limit along a straight road. “The City wishes for it to remain 30km/h but it requires wiggles and we are not entertaining that. Main Roads have jurisdictions on all regulatory signage and road works and we must work with them,” he said. “Having spoken with many Main Roads departments around Australia, globally they’re interested in slowing traffic and making it more safer for pedestrians, here in the Mid West they seem fixated on road trains and higher speed limits.”