The state government is providing $41 million in funding to deliver road projects across Melbourne’s west, including key roads in the Melton area.
The state budget included $14.9 million to upgrade the Melton Highway with road duplication works between Crown Drive and The Regency intersection in Plumpton.
The funding adds onto the $36.9 million from the 2020 state budget for upgrades to intersections at Melton Highway and Leakes Road in Plumpton, High Street and Coburns Road in Melton, and Norton Drive and High Street in Melton.
Roads Minister Ben Carroll said the projects were designed to build a safer and more resilient road network.
“We are delivering an unprecedented level of road projects in Melbourne’s West to ensure we keep up with population growth now and well into the future,” he said.
Mr Carroll said the state government would focus on all modes of transport to ensure the best accessibility to the future Melton hospital, so families could visit their loved ones.
“That’s why we’re not only upgrading and building more train stations along this important corridor, but getting the roads done as well,” Mr Carroll said.
“It’s vitally important that we continue to invest in Melton, more and more people are calling Melton home.”
Melton MP Steve McGhie said the upgrades to local intersections would help to improve traffic flow and more public transport will also assist commuters.
“Now we have a fantastic new railway station just north of the hospital, so people will be able to commute by rail and workers in the hospital will be able to use that.”
However, Mr McGhie said the big projects on the way for Melton take time.
“These are big projects, and there’s a lot of planning, you have to get the workers to do it and there are tender processes that you have to go through,
“That all takes time, people would like things built yesterday… It takes time, but it’s happening.”
Olivia Condous
