North East Link: Alternative interchange location proposed
About 100 businesses in Bulleen will be forced to move to make way for the $16 billion North East Link. But a transport action group has come up with an alternative route which could stop the bulldozers moving in.
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Extending the planned North East Link tunnel and southern interchange could save businesses and open space in Bulleen, a transport advocacy group has claimed.
The Victorian Transport Action Group presented a submission to the project’s Environmental Effects Statement at the independent planning hearings last Thursday.
They have developed a proposal to relocate the Manningham Rd Interchange about 1100m to Willow Bend.
Group president Mike Reece said they believed the move would also save money.
“The cost could be significantly less as the bored section of tunnel would continue all the way to the freeway without needing complex (above-ground) construction methods,” he said.
“This presents a more direct and far simpler divergence point — with tunnel portals within the freeway reserve.”
Mr Reece said the alternative alignment took advantage of a “natural bend” in the Eastern Freeway.
“By contrast with the devastation that will be created around the Bullen Rd/Eastern Freeway intersection, the number of people impacted will be very low,” he said.
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“At the northern end of Manningham Rd it avoids having to bulldoze the industrial estate. The current interchange is a very poor design.”
The Victorian Transport Action Group is made up of engineers, economists and transport professionals and advocates for best outcomes for transport matters.
The North East Link panel hearings conclude on Monday, with the independent report due to the State Government within 30 days.
North East Link Acting chief executive Jim Waller said any additional tunnelling would add capital cost and duration to the project.
“World-leading contractors are set to begin working on design proposals for North East Link and will consider all options to ensure we get the best outcome,” he said.
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