Traffic congestion on the West Gate Freeway is set to ease following the announcement that construction of the western end of the east-west link will begin next year.
The state and federal governments have announced funding for stage two of the 18-kilometre cross-city road connecting the Eastern Freeway with the Western Ring Road, with the federal government setting aside $1.5 billion in next Tuesday’s budget for the project.
The western section will connect the Western Ring Road with CityLink, providing motorists from Melbourne’s west with an alternative to the West Gate Bridge.
The state government says that once completed, the road will reduce travel times from Werribee to the city by 15 to 20 minutes and reduce pressure on the Monash-West Gate corridor.
Wyndham mayor Bob Fairclough said the funding announcement was great news.
“As seen with our recent Race to the City event, it can take some motorists well over an hour and a half to travel by car into the city each day, creating serious consequences for our infrastructure, economy, physical and mental health, and relationships,” he said.
LeadWest chief executive Craig Rowley welcomed the announcement, saying the western link would improve liveability in the western suburbs by providing for efficient freeway movement.
Committee for Wyndham chief executive Chris Potaris said the organisation would be watching to ensure governments delivered on their promises.
“The state and federal government have failed to address the evidence-based needs of Melbourne’s west. This announcement is certainly welcome, but we will be watching very closely.”
