The federal government has made a multi-million dollar election promise to invest $300 million towards fixing the Calder Freeway if re-elected.
The funding will be used to build a long-awaited diamond interchange at Calder Park Drive, which once complete will improve safety, reduce congestion and provide better access.
Calder Park Drive receives approximately 4400 vehicles per day, including 1700 heavy vehicles.
It is the main access route onto the Calder Freeway, and to Macedon Ranges, Mount Alexander and Greater Bendigo communities.
The new interchange will improve access on and off the Calder Freeway.
Brimbank council welcomed the announcement, and said the investment would be crucial in upgrading “one of Australia’s most dangerous roads”.
This proposed funding push comes nearly two years after the federal Labor government cancelled the $50 million promise made by the previous Liberal government in 2019.
The project was axed by Infrastructure Minister Catherine King in November 2023 following an infrastructure spending review.
At the time, Ms King said it was not realistically going to be delivered with the available funding, had made little to no progress over a significant amount of time, and did not align with national priorities.
The decision was followed by the state government revealing it would indefinitely pause funding for the freeway upgrades.
