ROADS Minister Terry Mulder refuses to reveal whether he plans for the East West Link to begin in Melbourne’s east or west.
Western metropolitan MP Andrew Elsbury told Parliament last Wednesday he agreed with LeadWest chairman Barry Harvey’s view that tunnelling from west to east to create a second river crossing should be a priority.
“This tunnelling from west to east will provide many great advantages, and I hope that the minister and those planning this vital project recognise the benefits that starting in the west can bring to the project,” Mr Elsbury said.
A 2008 report by Sir Rod Eddington estimated 95,000 daily trips are made by vehicles between the east and west of Melbourne. The report found traffic will grow by 40 per cent by 2031.
Mr Elsbury shifted from his recent position that the project could be constructed simultaneously at both ends.
He said the full east-west tunnel project would open up major traffic snarls and reduce the reliance on the West Gate and Monash corridors.
“This means greater access not just to the city but also the other side of the city and bringing business from the east to the west.”
Labor seized on the comments to suggest a division in the Coalition over priorities for the project.
Asked on Thursday whether he will follow Mr Elsbury’s recommendation to prioritise construction of a second river crossing to support the growing western suburbs, Mr Mulder repeatedly side-stepped the question by criticising Labor’s lack of support for the project.
But the minister indicated he viewed merit in the eastern end of the project.
“We are going down the pathway at this particular point in time of developing a comprehensive business case for the entire East West Link, and we are also going down the pathway of the planning from the end of the Eastern Freeway over to Tullamarine.’’
Shadow minister for major projects and infrastructure Tim Pallas said the East West Link would cost in the order of $12 billion.
