The Federal Member for Aston, the Hon Alan Tudge MP, has welcomed the official signing of contracts to build Melbourne’s much-needed East West Link.
“Construction on the vital missing link in our road network will begin within two months,” said Mr Tudge.
Mr Tudge said East West Link will ease traffic congestion on the Monash freeway and provide Knox residents with faster and easier access to Melbourne airport and the city.
The Federal Government is contributing $1.5 billion to the Eastern Section (stage one) and an additional $1.5 billion for the Western Section (stage two).
“The East West Link will improve connectivity across Melbourne, provide more direct routes to key destinations, including the airport, the port and the city, alleviate pressure on the Monash-West Gate corridor, take car and truck traffic off local streets and improve Melbourne’s traffic flow,” said Mr Tudge.
“There are immediate economic benefits from construction of East West Link, with stage one of the project creating 3,700 jobs and stage two creating 3,000 jobs in the construction phase.”
“Travel time from the Eastern Freeway to CityLink, the most common route from Bayswater, Boronia, Wantirna and Ferntree Gully to the airport, will be cut by seven minutes and bypass 23 sets of traffic lights.
“Congestion is an increasing problem on Melbourne’s roads and completion of this project will mean that people spend less time in traffic and more time with their families,” said Mr Tudge.
