Thursday, 15 October, 2009

                                                                            

Joint Media Release from the
Victorian Minister for Roads and Ports                                          From the Federal Member for Ballarat

Local access arrangements for the new Western Freeway route between Melton and Bacchus Marsh have been finalised with two new ramps included to reinstate direct freeway access at Hopetoun Park Road, Victorian Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas announced today.

Mr Pallas confirmed the final scope for the $200 million freeway upgrade that will provide a safer Western Highway, allowing drivers to avoid tight curves and hills through Anthony’s Cutting.

“The Brumby Labor Government, in partnership with the Rudd Labor Government, is taking action on the Western Highway upgrade because we understand how important it is to the local community,” Mr Pallas said.

“This highway between Melton and Bacchus Marsh has seen 21 casualty crashes over the last five years so with the safer route through Anthony’s Cutting now confirmed, we look forward to major works starting early next year.”

The vital Anthony’s Cutting project is funded as part of the Australian Government’s Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan and the $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan.

Mr Pallas said the new freeway alignment south of the existing highway would extend for five kilometres between Harkness Road, Melton West and Bacchus Marsh Road in Bacchus Marsh.

“A new interchange will be provided at Woolpack Road, which is being extended north from Bacchus Marsh Road with connections on and off the freeway in all directions,” he said.

“New freeway ramps will also now be included at Hopetoun Park Road giving better access to and from Melbourne for residents at Hopetoun Park and Long Forest and improving access to businesses along The Avenue of Honour at Bacchus Marsh.”

Federal Member for Ballarat Catherine King welcomed the latest milestone in the vital upgrade of the Western Freeway between Melbourne, Ballarat and beyond.

“The planned freeway improvements will support jobs and growth now and for the future and will result in significant travel time and cost savings for freeway drivers to and through the region,” Ms King said.

“Together we look forward to major construction starting early next year and more importantly to completion of the freeway link in early 2012, when the significant safety, travel and economic benefits of the project will be enjoyed by all road users.

“This is great news for commuters, visitors to the region and especially for the road freight industry and its customers.

“Along with the Deer Park Bypass and the planned Western Highway duplication from Ballarat to Stawell, the Anthony’s Cutting upgrade will transform road transport in the region.

“And I’m delighted the concerns of local residents have been taken into account so this project can now proceed with community support.”

State Member for Melton Don Nardella said the final project scope was a great result for the local community.

“The final project design comes after community consultation and has taken into account the views expressed by residents in Hopetoun Park and Long Forest,” Mr Nardella said. 

“When this project is complete there will be a total of six freeway interchanges available for local access along the Western Freeway from east of Melton to west of Bacchus Marsh.

“We will also retain land at Bulmans Road and Harkness Road for potential future freeway interchanges when the regional arterial road network is extended to cater for local population growth.”