The Federal Government's $1.5 billion commitment to the western section of the East West Link in Melbourne has been welcomed by the RACV.
RACV general manager public policy Brian Negus said the western section of the new link from the Port of Melbourne to the Western Ring Road would complete this city-shaping project, delivering improvements for residents and businesses across Melbourne.
"This section of the East West Link will help alleviate the massive congestion on the West Gate Bridge and local roads by providing an alternative route for motorists and freight users wishing to get across town or from the docks to the Western Ring Rd," Mr Negus said.
"Residents in the inner-west will benefit from a reduction in truck traffic on local roads and those in the fast growing outer-west and Geelong will have improved access to the CBD, and Melbourne's northern and eastern suburbs, while businesses will enjoy better connections to the port and the Ring Rd, providing a major economic boost."
Mr Negus said the full East West Link was one of RACV's priority transport projects for Melbourne, as part of the integrated and balanced approach RACV has long advocated to meeting the transport needs of Victorians.
"Along with the State Government's recently announced commitments to the Melbourne Airport Rail Link, the Metro Rail Capacity project and the $2.5 billion upgrade of the Dandenong Rail Corridor being undertaken by Metro Trains, all except one of RACV's top priority projects for Melbourne are now being addressed."
Mr Negus said RACV was looking to next week's State Budget for further details on how the western section of the East West Link and the other projects which have been promised will be funded and delivered.
"It is critical that state and federal governments continue to develop a pipeline of funding for these key upgrades to our transport networks that ensures these projects are delivered within the next decade to boost Victoria's economic development and combat congestion on our road and public transport networks," Mr Negus said.
"RACV still wants to see action on the completion of the Metropolitan Ring Rd from Greensborough to the Eastern Freeway/EastLink, and we call on both federal and state governments to commit to addressing this missing link."
