By Alesha Capone
An independent politician says that Ballan Road should be duplicated before a pilot project, which will likely result in more trucks using the road, goes ahead.
Western metropolitan MP Catherine Cumming made a speech in parliament earlier this month, calling on the Minister for Roads and Road Safety to commit to funding the Ballan Road duplication.
Dr Cumming said the duplication was needed ahead of a strategic extractive resource areas pilot project, known as SERA, being implemented.
“Wyndham has been included in the SERA pilot, which aims to help secure a long-term supply of sand and rock for future Victorian building projects,” Dr Cumming said.
“The SERA documents note that the quarry operations have identified increasing road congestion as the key transport-related issue impacting their operations.”
Dr Cumming said that congestion and traffic collisions along Ballan Road were “unfortunately not new to residents, who have been advocating for over 10 years for this road to be upgraded”.
“There are multiple estates in this region and more being developed,” she said.
“Commercial and commuter traffic volumes are increasing along Ballan Road, and the road is struggling to support the growth.
“The pilot project will further increase the number of heavy vehicle movements, putting further strain on the already congested network.”
In June, Star Weekly reported that Wyndham councillor Mia Shaw was also concerned about the SERA pilot, which will also be rolled out on parts of the Princes Freeway and Dohertys, Edgars, Bulban, Bacchus Marsh-Werribee and Little River roads.
Cr Shaw this could potentially mean more quarry trucks on Wyndham’s roads, as they are used to transport materials to construction sites across the state.
Cr Shaw said that the state government had not yet committed to funding the duplication of Ballan Road, which would be needed if more trucks were to start travelling on it.
Public consultation on the SERA pilot project closed earlier this year.
A state government spokesperson said: “Ballan Road is one of 37 roads which have been resurfaced or rehabilitated between Footscray and Werribee as part of the $1.8 billion Western Roads Upgrade.
“We know Melbourne’s west is growing fast – and we’ll continue to work with planning authorities, councils and land developers to improve safety and relieve congestion across our road network.”
Under the Western Roads Upgrade, 6.8km of road lanes on Ballan Road have been repaired or rehabilitated between December 2019 to this June.
In sections where there has been significant damage, the road surface has been entirely replaced, with new foundations, asphalt and line-markings.
Planned improvements also include a signalised intersection for Ballan/Ison Road (with construction commencing January 2021).
