GETTING ON WITH MELBOURNE’S MISSING ROAD LINK

Procurement for Victoria’s biggest ever transport project, the North East Link, will start within the first 100 days of a re-elected Andrews Labor Government.

Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio joined Premier Daniel Andrews and Roads Minister Luke Donnellan to announce fast-tracked planning for the project.

The Victorian Budget 2018/19 will provide $110 million to fast track detailed planning and design works so that the search for a builder to construct the massive project can start immediately after the election.

The $16.5 billion project will slash congestion across Melbourne’s north east, take thousands of trucks off local roads and create more than 10,000 new jobs.

Travel times between Melbourne’s north and south will be cut by up to 30 minutes in each direction.

When the road opens, it will take up to 15,000 trucks off local streets each day, and more than 9,000 vehicles off traffic hotspots like Rosanna Road, Lower Plenty Road and Fitzsimons Lane.

Keeping local roads for local people is a priority, so residents have better access to railway stations, shops and services.

This year’s budget will fund planning works and the over-arching blueprint which will guide construction.

Planning studies and community consultation are well underway following the announcement of a project corridor last year.

Locals will be the first to see further design work on the project within weeks, with the full reference design to be released later this year.

The project design will be refined to include public feedback and to make sure the most efficient plans are in place before the project is put to market and a builder chosen.

For more information about the project, visit northeastlink.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio

“The long overdue North East Link will connect our community to Melbourne’s south and east and deliver massive benefits to local businesses big and small.”

“Whether it’s North East Link, the M80 Ring Road Upgrade, Plenty Road or Mernda Rail – only Labor is investing in the transport infrastructure our community needs.”