The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with the projects our state voted for so Victorians can spend less time on busy roads and get home to their families safer and sooner.
The 2015-16 Victorian Budget provides over $600 million to upgrade congested roads that Victorians use every day to get to work and get around their communities.
The Metropolitan Ring Road is at breaking point, causing delays for motorists in Melbourne’s West. More lanes are needed in this fast-growing area. The Budget provides $150 million to undertake the next stage of the M80 Upgrade to widen the road and install traffic management equipment from EJ Whitten Bridge to Sunshine Avenue, the upgrade will also include safety barriers on the bridge.
The Labor Government will seek a further $150 million in Commonwealth funding to complete a further section of the M80 between the EJ Whitten Bridge and the Calder Freeway.
The Budget also provides $110 million to upgrade the Chandler Highway bridge over the Yarra River, easing congestion for the thousands of motorists who use it daily. In 2014, the bridge was rated Melbourne’s number one congestion point in the RACV’s Redspot Survey.
The Budget also contains $40 million to deliver works this year to widen Whitehall Street, and strengthen and widen Shepherd Bridge in Footscray including dedicated pedestrian and cycling lanes.
As announced last week, the Labor Government has entered into detailed negotiations with Transurban about its market-led proposal, the Western Distributor, however the Whitehall Street and Shepherd Bridge works will proceed regardless of the outcome.
A further $76 million is provided for 23 projects on key freight corridors so heavy vehicles can take more direct routes to our farms, towns and communities.
The Budget invests $90 million for a package of projects to address congestion and optimise the performance of the road network. This package will install and trial smart signalling at key intersections along congested city roads, resurface unsafe, deteriorating road surfaces in regional Victoria, reduce local congestion in outer suburban areas, and begin planning to upgrade the congested Swan Street Bridge over the Yarra River.
The Budget allocates $86.7 million to resurface unsafe, deteriorating roads around the state, so families in the outer suburbs and regional Victoria can get around safely.
$31.4 million will be provided through the Road Minor Works package to upgrade roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, noise barriers and bad intersections.
The Budget provides $20.5 million to commence the duplication of two congested sections of Thompsons Road in Cranbourne, between Frankston-Dandenong Road and the South Gippsland Highway, and between Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road and Clyde Road. 24,000 vehicles use these sections of the road every day.
Planning for more road upgrades can now commence, with $1.8 million to kick-start work on streamlined traffic flows on Hoddle Street and $3.8 million to start planning upgrades of Bolton Street in Eltham, Yan Yean Road in Plenty, Napier Street in Bendigo and the Drysdale Bypass.
This package is a significant step towards achieving the Labor Government's guaranteed $1 billion in funding to repair and upgrade regional road and $1 billion for roads in outer suburban areas over eight years.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Luke Donnellan
“We want Victorians to spend less time stuck in traffic and more time at home with their families.”
“Over $600 million in projects will ease congestion, cut travel times and improve road safety across the state."
“Chandler Highway Bridge is a nightmare and the Western Ring Road isn’t wide enough – they need to be fixed.”
“These are the local roads Victorians use every day to get to work, get back home and get around the community.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020