The RACV is urging the next state government to commit to duplicating Point Cook Road and developing an outer Melbourne transport fund.
The motoring body last week released a pre-state election list of 31 projects it wants the major political parties to commit to funding if they win
the November poll.
Included on the RACV’s list was the duplication of Point Cook Road, which it says is one of Melbourne’s most congested roads.
According to a 2013 Wyndham council traffic volumes report, 26,480 vehicles use Point Cook Road every day.
Between 2012 and 2013, traffic volumes on the arterial road increased 7 per cent.
An arterial road is considered to be over capacity if it is used by more than 18,000 vehicles a day.
Point Cook Action Group president Tony Hooper (below) said duplication of Point Cook Road would make it easier for motorists to access the Princes Freeway and Williams Landing train station.
“Most people in Point Cook avoid Point Cook Road, putting pressure on Palmers Road. That then makes accessing the station harder.“
“As a suburb, we should have multiple options to get out. [Duplicating the road] should be a logical inclusion in any government’s plans
for the area.”
The RACV said creating an outer Melbourne transport and infrastructure fund would help eliminate the backlog of road and public transport projects in growth areas.
In 2013, the state auditor-general found $10 billion was needed immediately to address the infrastructure backlog.
Earlier this month, Melbourne’s 10 interface councils, including Wyndham, asked the Liberal and Labor parties to commit to spending $4 billion over five years to improve roads in outer suburbs, with $197 million in recurrent funding every year to improve bus services and $200 million a year to help pay for community infrastructure.
RACV public policy general manager Brian Negus said there was a critical need for increased investment in transport and infrastructure projects across the state.
“There is no one fix to Melbourne’s congestion,” he said.
“The development of sustainable, integrated road and public transport networks is essential to address our current congestion problems, which will be compounded by expansive population growth.
“RACV is seeking a public commitment from the major political parties that, if elected, they will act quickly.”
