Federal Member for Aston Alan Tudge MP has welcomed the State Government’s proposal to widen the Eastern Freeway to further ease traffic congestion as part of the East-West Link Project.
Mr Tudge said Knox locals would be the big winners from plans to build additional lanes on the Eastern Freeway as part of the construction of the East-West Link, a landmark project for which the Federal Coalition committed $1.5 billion in funding.
“Knox locals will benefit from reduced congestion as a result of extra lanes on the Eastern Freeway,” Mr Tudge said.
“The East West Link will mean that more Knox locals can spend more time with loved ones rather than being stuck in traffic.”
“Not only will it create another route across town and into the city, cut travel times and boost local business productivity it will also reduce congestion on other major roads including the Monash Freeway,” he said.
Plans to build additional lanes were part of a Victorian Government submission to Infrastructure Australian calling on the Federal Government to commit to the project. The Federal Government has so far refused to commit any funding to the project despite it being listed as the number 1 infrastructure priority by the Victorian Government and other interest groups such as the RACV and the Victorian Employer’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI).
The 18-kilometre East-West Link Project will connect the Eastern Freeway with the Western Ring Road and the Eastern and Tullamarine Freeways, with a connection to the Port.
For more information on the East West Link visit www.linkingmelbourne.vic.gov.au.