Decision on Craigieburn Rd duplication cash won’t be made for several months

DRIVERS fed-up with traffic on Craigieburn Rd will have to wait more than a year for the State Government to decide on its duplication.

A decision on funding for the duplication of Craigieburn Rd is still a while away.

DRIVERS fed-up with congestion on Craigieburn Rd will have to wait more than a year for the State Government to make a decision on funding for a possible duplication project.

VicRoads’ project director of eastern projects, Frank De Santis, said work had started on the State Government-funded $250,000 business case for the duplication of Craigieburn Rd between Hanson Rd and Aitken Blvd.

Craigieburn Rd duplication moves closer with ‘business case’ funding

“VicRoads has already completed a planning investigation which includes the preparation of concept drawings to determine the transport needs for this busy stretch of road,” Mr De Santis said.

Although the project is underway, Mr De Santis said the government would determine whether it would actually fund the duplication when the 2018-19 State Budget was released.

“The development of this project will be finalised for consideration by the government as part of the 2018/19 Victorian state budget,” he said.

“This will include cost estimates and proposed timing for delivery.”

DIY dividing lines painted by frustrated motorist on congested Craigieburn Rd

Hume community members have called on the State Government to prioritise the long-awaited duplication above other road projects.

During December, northern metropolitan MP Craig Ondarchie said the government had “put on ice” a proposal from VicRoads to upgrade roads in the north — including Craigieburn, Somerton and Mickleham roads — to instead focus on roads in the west and southeast.

A long-time campaigner on Craigieburn Rd, Jim Overend, said last year the government committed $350 million to the Western Ring Rd and $1.8 billion for eight road duplication and widening projects in the west.

He said in comparison, the $250,000 allocated to Craigieburn Rd showed the north had been “overlooked”.

“The community’s going to be outraged when they hear this,” he said.

But Mr De Santis said the State Government was also considering a “large scale investment” of road upgrades for the outer north, similar to the west’s road package.

He said this would include further consideration for upgrades to Mickleham Rd and Somerton Rd.

The Roads Minister Luke Donnellan said the Craigieburn Rd business case funding showed the government was committed to the north.