The Federal Member for Aston, Hon Alan Tudge MP, has spoken in Parliament about the need to undertake infrastructure projects to ease increasing traffic congestion in Knox.
Highlighting the economic, business and social costs of congestion, Mr Tudge said traffic congestion in Melbourne already costs our economy $2.7 billion, with that figure projected to rise to more than $6 billion by 2020 if action is not taken.
The social cost of traffic means time wasted whilst stuck in traffic is time away from home and family. Business also suffers, with increased costs of transporting goods and services.
Mr Tudge highlighted recent action taken by the federal and state governments to improve the flow, including major investment in East West Link and fixing Napoleon Road black spots.
“East West Link will not only take pressure off the Eastern Freeway and provide routes across to the western parts of Melbourne; it will also take pressure off the Monash Freeway which so residents in the southern parts Knox use,” said Mr Tudge.
“$81,900 in Black Spot funding has been allocated to Napoleon Road, to make significant improvements and add four turning lanes to Napoleon Road which will increase the safety and amenity for Knox residents.
The Black Spot funding will see exclusive right turn lanes built for Napoleon Road at the intersections of Affleck Way, Teofilo Drive, Anthony Drive and Bark Avenue.
Mr Tudge also spoke of further improvements to Knox infrastructure need to further improve local roads and ease congestion.
“Police Road needs to be extended through to Churchill Park Drive. It is a difficult and complex problem, but it is something we need in order to take pressure off Bergins Road,” said Mr Tudge.
“I continue to press for the most dangerous part of the Stud Road bus lane to be removed—between the Burwood Highway and Boronia Road. And, finally, I continue to press for the Rowville rail. Fortunately, we now have the feasibility study—the first and second stages—and key tracks which are preconditions to Rowville rail are being undertaken.” Mr Tudge said.
