Labor commits $550m for freeway upgrade in Melbourne's outer west
A key section of freeway linking some of Melbourne's fastest-growing areas will be upgraded, with $550 million in state government money joining a $1 billion Commonwealth pledge.
In a bid to alleviate traffic congestion in Melbourne's outer west ahead of the state election, the Labor Party has pledged to spend $550 million upgrading the Western Freeway. The funds will improve the freeway between Melton and Caroline Springs, complementing the Commonwealth government's $1 billion commitment before the 2025 election.
Premier Ben Carroll stated that interchanges at Ferris Road, Leakes Road, and Hopkins Road would be upgraded, along with a new half interchange at Mount Cottrell Road, providing local traffic direct access onto and off the freeway.
Carroll emphasized that the upgrade aims to prioritize road infrastructure, allowing Victorians to spend more time with their families rather than in traffic. The plan includes 30 kilometers of new lanes, with up to four lanes in each direction, and a consistent 100 km/h speed limit on the upgraded sections. Planning for the federal-funded project has already begun.
Melton City Council has been advocating for the freeway upgrade alongside the construction of new train stations, as the area's population grows by 6.61% annually, more than triple the Melbourne average of 2%. The council has noted that major arterial roads in Melton are not suitable for the existing high volume of traffic, characterized by rural standards, unsealed shoulders, and a lack of public lighting, open drains, and non-existent bike and pedestrian paths.
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