The Western Freeway upgrade and the Christies Road exchange off the Deer Park bypass have been identified as the two top-priority projects to improve freight infrastructure in Melton.
Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton, Moonee Valley and Hobsons Bay councils contributed to the Western Transport Alliance’s Freight Strategy for Melbourne’s West report to identify four roads that should receive priority in the next 10 years.
Melton council planning and development general manager Les Stokes said upgrading the Western Freeway between Hopkins and Ferris roads to an urban standard would address safety issues.
“The freeway is a key freight route of national importance and carries high volumes of both cars and trucks,” Mr Stokes said.
“Upgrading this section of the Western Freeway … will address safety issues for all road users and bring this section of freeway up to the same standards that exist on similar freeways in the metropolitan area.”
As its other priorities, the council identified modification and duplication of the Deer Park bypass with Christies Road exchange, installation of traffic lights at High Street and Norton Drive, and rehabilitation of the Toolern Creek bridge at High Street.
Mr Stokes said congestion at the Deer Park bypass and Christies Road intersection was causing delays to general traffic and freight, and would most likely impact future public transport users and buses accessing the new Caroline Springs railway station.
Industry professionals from across the state attended a forum at the Wyndham Civic Centre last month to discuss the challenges confronting Melbourne’s west.
LeadWest chairman Barry Harvey said investing in transport infrastructure that enhanced freight productivity was vital.
Victoria University Supply Chain and Logistics Institute director Hermione Parsons said: “A failure to sustain and improve logistics and transport infrastructure across the west threatens productivity and jobs growth in Melbourne and Victoria.”
Melton council has developed a draft Integrated Transport Strategy to plan for the municipality’s transport infrastructure future. It advocates duplication and electrification of the Melton railway line, upgrading the Western Freeway and duplicating the Melton Highway.
The draft report can be found at www.movingmelton.com.au
