The $27.4 billion Suburban Transport Blitz, which includes $15.8 billion to fully fund and build North East Link, $6.6 billion to remove another 25 level crossings and $608 million to upgrade local roads, will go a long way towards improving journey reliability on Melbourne’s road network.
Regional roads also get a boost of $425 million, with a further $30.3 million for upgrades, traffic light installation and pedestrian improvements in regional cities.
It’s also very pleasing to see a $3.4 billion spending commitment to the suburban rail network to deliver upgrades to the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Hurstbridge lines, as well as $100 million for the Western Rail Plan and another $300 million for planning, technical investigations and development for the Suburban Rail Loop.
“With Victoria set to experience the largest and fastest increase in population over the next 50 years, and projected to reach between 7.5 million and 7.9 million people by 2027, it’s vital that we are planning for the future,” RA President, David Stuart-Watt.
“But we also need to deal with our immediate challenges around congestion, public transport and road maintenance and renewal.
“Today’s Budget strikes a good balance, providing a vision for the future and delivering for the present.”