Removing level crossings, prioritising an alternative to the West
Gate Bridge and funding a diamond interchange at Duncans Road have been
named as possible solutions to Wyndham’s chronic road congestion by
candidates vying for the federal seat of Lalor.
Although a state government responsibility, fixing major
infrastructure gaps “requires federal advocacy”, independent candidate
Nathan Mullins said.
Mr Mullins and Australian Christians party candidate Geoff Rogers
said separating road and rail traffic at Wyndham’s level crossings would
be the best way to ease peak-hour traffic snarls.
“Level crossings cause major traffic delays and should be eliminated,” Mr Rogers said.
A second Maribyrnong River crossing was also high on candidates’ lists of priorities.
In May, the state government allocated $6 billion to $8 billion to
fund the eastern section of the East-West Link, despite expert advice
that a second river crossing included in the western end was urgently
needed. Mr Rogers had added his voice to the chorus calling for the
western end to be funded first.
Family First candidate Daryl Pollard said the East-West Link would
provide a much-needed alternative route into the CBD. He said a
full-diamond interchange at Duncans Road would immediately alleviate
traffic either end of Werribee.
ALP candidate Joanne Ryan said transport, roads, schools and services were high on her list of infrastructure priorities.
“In a growing community like ours, there is always more to do,” she said.
Liberal candidate Nihal Samara, Democratic Labour Party’s Michael Freeman, Palmer United’s Joe Zappia, Stable Population Party’s Jonathan Page and the Sex Party’s Angel Harwood did not respond by deadline.
