East and south-east Melbourne receives $121m fund to bust congestion

Melbourne’s east and south-east will be seeing a number of road upgrades thanks to a $121 million investment for congestion busting projects across the region.

“We want people spending less time stuck in traffic and more time at home with their families and working in their businesses - this is what matters,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

Approximately $68 million of the investment will be spent on new park and ride facilities at six locations in the region. This includes Croydon, Mitcham, Ringwood, Ferntree Gully, Hampton and Bentleigh. More than 1,500 new car parking spaces that commuters can use.

“Improving parking at our local train stations will also reduce congestion on our roads and further encourage commuters on to public transport,” Federal Member for Deakin Michael Sukkar said.

The multi-million dollar investment will also fund the following:

• $20 million for intersection upgrades, including traffic lights, and widening works in the southbound direction on the Maroondah Highway from Melba Highway to Ingram Road

• $17.8 million for eight intersection upgrades along the Princes Highway at Beaconsfield Avenue, O’Niel Road, Brunt Road, Bayview Road, Tivendale Road, McMullen Road, Arena Parade and Thewlis Road

• $13 million to upgrade the McGregor Road and Pakenham Bypass interchange on the Princes Highway to assist motorists needing to exit or enter the Freeway from the east

• $2.5 million for improvements in the westbound direction on Plymouth Road between Narr-Maen Drive and Midhurst Road in Croydon

Collectively, approximately $261 million is being injected towards 14 projects across Melbourne through the $1 billion Urban Congestion Fund.

“I’ve seen firsthand why congestion in Melbourne is now rated worse than Sydney.

“This investment will help to deliver a more reliable road network for Melbourne commuters,” Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said.

Receive the latest industry news and project updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to Felix Project News today.

Source: Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population; Prime Minister of Australia