Federal Labor announces $10m business case to upgrade the Western Highway

Melton City Council has welcomed a commitment from the Federal Labor Party to take the first step towards upgrading the Western Highway.

The Labor Party has committed, if elected, to invest $10 million in a business case to explore the road needs along the stretch of Western Highway from Melton through to Caroline Springs, in line with the priorities of Melton City Council.

And it says that when complete, the project would deliver a quicker and safer commute for tens of thousands of locals.

The announcement follows hot on the heels of the launch of Melton City Council’s Fix Our Roads Campaign, which includes calls to fund much-needed improvements on the highway.

The Western Highway is the key arterial for Western Victoria, and every single day 77,000 vehicles travel the stretch from Melton to Caroline Springs.

Despite these high traffic levels, the locals are left idling along aged and inadequate freeway infrastructure, including direct property access and at-grade interchanges, leading to significant peak hour congestion.

With the population of Melton set to climb from 190,000 in 2022 to almost 450,000 in 2051, traffic is only going to get worse.

“Like everyone in the west of the state, I know this stretch of the road and its traffic problems very well,” Catherine King, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development said.

“Upgrading this road won’t only get locals home more quickly and safely, but it will allow businesses to move goods from the regions to the city without having to factor in daily road congestion.”

City of Melton Mayor Cr Goran Kesic welcomed Labor’s commitment towards the Western Highway.

“The Western Highway is a critical arterial road link that functions as an important economic driver at a metropolitan, state and national level,” he said.

“A business case will provide a clear direction on how to upgrade and future-proof this highway in one of Australia’s fastest growing areas.

“The Western Highway is an aged, rural standard road that desperately needs more interchanges, overpasses and lanes.

“Now is the time to invest in the Western Highway and we hope that other major parties will also make strong commitments towards this key road. It’s an opportunity to address a critical need for tens of thousands of daily commuters, including those getting to and from work and those moving goods across the state.”

To find out more about Council’s Fix Our Roads campaign and show your support, visit fixourroads.com.au.