NO.077

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT COMMITS TO UPGRADING THE SPRINGVALE ROAD AND WHITEHORSE ROAD INTERSECTION

Today I announce the Australian Government has offered $25 million to upgrade the intersection of Whitehorse and Springvale Roads, Nunawading — one of Melbourne’s worst congested hotspots.

The federal funding offer is conditional on the Victorian Government contributing the balance of the project cost.

These are State roads for which the Victorian Government is totally responsible. However, in order to kick-start construction the Australian Government will offer $25 million to the cost on condition that construction begins as soon as possible and is completed by the State Government to address the serious congestion and safety problems at this critical intersection.

The Australian Government acknowledges the work undertaken by the City of Whitehorse to quantify problems associated with the intersection and to identify possible solutions. They include twin tunnels to divert Springvale Road under Whitehorse Road (Maroondah Highway) and the Belgrave–Lilydale rail line. Another is construction of an additional lane southbound on Springvale Road between Whitehorse Road and Market Street.

One and a half million dollars will be made available immediately to the Council so it can investigate the best feasible traffic management and engineering solution. The Springvale Road–Whitehorse Road junction is one of the busiest in Melbourne. Congestion is a serious problem and had not been addressed for many years. Delays will not be addressed by construction of the EastLink toll road.

News of the Australian Government’s offer was welcomed by the Federal Member for Deakin, Phil Barresi, a long-time campaigner for improvements at the Springvale / Whitehorse Road intersection. Mr Barresi canvassed community opinion on the need for an upgrade prior to the last election with a petition indicating that it was a high priority.

Mr Barresi said:-

“This is the busiest rail commuter corridor in Melbourne, catering to 250 trains per day. The congestion problems are exacerbated by the rail boom gates for the Belgrave–Lilydale line on Springvale Road just south of the intersection and the proximity of Nunawading Station to Springvale Road.

It can take up to eight minutes to travel less than two kilometres from Canterbury Road to the Maroondah Highway, with almost five minutes of this taken to move just 240 metres from the railway line to the highway. Congestion won’t be eased so long as the railway bottleneck remains.

The Victorian Government’s participation in the ‘proving up’ phase of various traffic management solutions is essential, given the government’s responsibility for both roads and the railway line.

Failure to address the issue until now has hampered the City of Whitehorse’s long term development plans for Mitcham and Nunawading, including establishing a clear direction for commercial development based on stronger connectivity at this location and its expansion as a hub for the various modes of public transport.

It is great to see the Australian Government providing seed funding to identify a definite way forward.”

Recent traffic counts on Springvale Road alone indicate that about 66,000 vehicles use the road daily. That includes around 2,900 vehicles per hour during the morning and evening peaks.

MELBOURNE

31 July 2006

Media Enquiries:

David Alexander Treasurer’s Office (03) 9650 0244

Matthew Koce Mr Barresi’s Office (03) 9873 8351