By Ewen McRae
Commuters from Bacchus Marsh to Melbourne are expected to experience some of the biggest delays in the city in future, according to a new report.
The report from Infrastructure Australia predicted the drive from Bacchus Marsh to the CBD via the Western Freeway will be the 10th most congested in the state in the morning peak by 2031. It stated the 41-kilometre commute would mean drivers spent 64 per cent of their trip in congestion with a 63 minute delay.
Melbourne’s west and north accounted for seven of the top-10 most congested morning commutes in the report.
The Bacchus Marsh evening commute is predicted the eighth most congested in Victoria by 2031.
The report stated that high growth across the outer west would increase demand on the Western Freeway.
“[By 2031] Melton-Bacchus Marsh and Wyndham will house approximately 260,000 extra residents, accommodating almost 20 per cent of Melbourne’s total growth,” the report stated.
“In light of the nature and location of the forecast growth, by 2031 more people will live on Melbourne’s periphery.
“This will increase the pressure on transport infrastructure.”
The report comes after local MP Catherine King called on the federal government to invest strongly in upgrading the Western Freeway to prepare for higher future demand.
“The road as it is simply cannot cope,” Ms King said.
“The government needs to stop ignoring our region.”
Ms King called on the government to deliver new interchanges to service the Melton West and Rockbank areas, as well as the addition of lanes and removal of a grade access between Melton and Caroline Springs.
