Small Cities and Towns – What Happens when these places are bypassed

Bypass - "a road enabling motorists to avoid a city or other heavy traffic points or to drive around an obstruction."  Dictionary.reference.com

The construction of bypasses have both positive/negative effects on towns/cities and communities:

Positive Effects:

• Less congestion
• Due to the streets being less congested the streets become safer for pedestrians and cyclists
• Increased air quality due to the decrease in vehicles
• The local population is less exposed to health-threatening vehicle emissions and hazardous materials
• Noise levels severely decrease and less ground vibration
• Improved streetscape, especially around the town center.
• The street is recaptured by the community – e.g. this is shown in Euroa where the public have benefited from retrofitting a disused service station and making it into an emergency service hub.
• Improved quality of roads
• Less pressure on the local road network
• Improved traffic flow, reduced congestion, reduction of truck traffic, and opportunities for implementation of planned development.
• Reduced flow of heavy vehicle traffic in the town center by providing a more efficient, alternative route.
• Decreased travel time for motorists and freight
• The bypassing of the Miliwa region has created a gourmet food region that would not have been possible if the Hume HWY had maintained its original route.
• Enhanced quality of life for residence

Safer Streets due to less motor vehicles on the road - Source brightonhovegreens.org

Negative Effects:

• Increase in unemployment due to closure of service businesses
• Businesses need to adapt to new strategies to increase their market share with fewer visitors
• Forced adaption for businesses
• Town at mercy of government agencies. This is evident in Benella which is a major government service hub responsible for the north east state.
• Decline in the regional economy
• Increase in tourist based seasonal visitors resulting in unplanned tourist ventures. For example, in Glen Rowan they use Ned Kelly to attract visitors.
• The creation of major service centers on the bypass leading people away from towns for food and fuel.
• The cost of bypassing a town is often quite expensive
• Decrease in land value
• Higher vacancy rate in accommodation and retail premises 

Increase in unemployment due to closure of service businesses - Source axiomamnesia.com