Cade Lucas
Roads in Hobsons Bay and Wyndham will receive long awaited upgrades in a joint funding package announced by both the state and federal governments on Thursday.
The centrepiece of the announcement was a $55 million plan to duplicate and upgrade Central Avenue in Altona Meadows between Lunn Court and Skehan Boulevarde.
A further $3.5 million was announced for a business case to upgrade Point Cook Road between Jamieson Way and Dunnings Road, building on previous work to develop the scope of the project.
Both Central Avenue and Point Cook Road connect to the Princes Freeway, the main access road connecting the western suburbs to the city
The Princes Freeway carries approximately 40,000 vehicles per day from Geelong, increasing to 90,000 vehicles per day at the Western Ring Road.
Central Avenue and Point Cook intersect just before the freeway entrance, with nearly 28,000 vehicles passing through the intersection per day, a figure that is expected to increase along with congestion and travel times.
Federal Infrastructure and Transport,Minister Catherine King said the upgrades would help ease congestions and travel times as well as improving safety.
“This will be transformative project for Melbourne’s west, better connecting these growing suburbs with the city and the region.”
Gellibrand MP Tim Watts said the upgrades were long overdue.
“My constituents have been stuck in traffic for too long.
“Residents in Point Cook have long been waiting for a fix for Point Cook Road. This business case will provide the State government with a plan for the solution.”
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams thanked the federal government for helping fund the road projects.
“It’s fantastic to have a partner in Canberra that can find Victoria on a map and deliver critical investments to keep our state moving,” Ms Williams said.
“Our growing communities deserve the very best road connections, which is why we are investing more to improve traffic flow and boost safety across Melbourne’s west.”
