Melton council is still waiting on the state government to review the “critical north-south corridor” of Calder Park Drive, Westwood Drive and Palmers Road so it can be declared a state arterial road.
About 12 months ago Melton council wrote to multiple MPs requesting “urgent and formal declaration” as a state arterial road and a commitment to “immediately upgrade the corridor as a matter of priority”.
At the time, Melton council was under the impression that the roads had been identified as a future arterial road, meaning upgrades would become the responsibility of state government instead of council.
The state government said the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) would look to review the Palmers Road corridor to determine whether it’s suitable to declare some sections as an arterial road.
A year later, the review has not begun, and when asked by Star Weekly, the DTP indicated it was still planned but did not specify when it would begin.
A section of the south of the Western Freeway is already a state-owned road, and the government has committed to delivering road widening and intersection upgrades over an 8 km section there, along with the the removal of the Robinsons Road and Calder Park Drive level crossings.
The state government will also consider duplication north of the Western Freeway and construction of the Calder Park Drive freeway interchange in the future.
Melton council City Futures director Sam Romaszko said council wants an upgraded road network to improve liveability, productivity and safety for residents.
“Calder Park Drive, Westwood Drive and Robinsons Road form a critical road corridor that connects to major highways and freeways,” she said.
“Traffic modelling indicates that Westwood Drive, Calder Park Drive and Robinsons Road carry more than 30,500 vehicles each day, with this number expected to rise to 38,500 by 2031.
“The Palmers Road corridor will improve quality of life, road safety and attract commercial investment into an important employment precinct.”
Liam McNally
