Advocates renew calls for upgrades to dangerous Western Highway between Melton and Caroline Springs

The opposition is accusing the government of “neglecting” a major growth corridor as commuters battle call for upgrades to Western Highway.

Uncertainty remains for commuters crying out for upgrades to the Western Highway, as the state opposition claims the government has “neglected” the west.

Melton City Council’s successful ‘Fix Our Roads’ campaign last year secured commitments from both state and federal governments to fund a $10m business case investigating potential upgrades to the major arterial.

However, commuters reliant on the stretch of road between Melton and Caroline Springs are now calling for a timeline to guarantee when the business case will commence.

Commuters want to know when the business case investigating upgrades to the Western Hwy will commence. Picture: Moving Melton

Thornhill Park community advocate Matt Pearse said his suburb was one of the most isolated in greater Melbourne, which was being compounded by a lack of infrastructure and soaring population.

Situated in the middle of where the proposed upgrade would take place, Mr Pearse said he was acutely aware of the road conditions and the need to accommodate the region’s rapid development.

He said residents were concerned as there had been six serious accidents in the past year at the Mt Cottrell Rd interchange alone.

Thornhill Park community advocate, Matt Pearse. Picture: Supplied

“Thankfully, there have been no fatalities but with the road in the condition it is, I believe it is not a matter of if but when,” Mr Pearse said.

“We are one of the biggest growth corridors in Melbourne, this is the seventh busiest highway in Australia so this needs urgent investment and we need guarantees around when these projects will actually be delivered.

“Due to ongoing works in the area, it’s often the only way into places like Melton and Rockbank and we have seen these merge points can be quite dangerous.

“I use that road almost everyday and I have to constantly factor in delays due to how bad that stretch can get around peak time.”

According to Melton City Council, planning approvals for seven additional suburbs adjacent to the Western Hwy could see an estimated 200,000 extra residents move in by 2051.

Opposition roads spokesman Danny O’Brien said the west has been “neglected” for far too long by the government and the inaction on the Western Highway was just further evidence.

Gippsland South MP and shadow minister for roads and road safety, Danny O'Brien. Picture: Supplied

“The Liberals and Nationals committed $700m to upgrade the Western Highway to Melton to urban freeway standard last year as part of a $1.5b plan for roads in Melbourne’s west,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Melton and the western suburbs are growing strongly and Labor must get on with the job of improving the roads in this growing region.

“Labor is spending $10m a day just to service debt and that is reducing the money available for vital upgrades to roads across the state.”

It is understood the state government is investigating a potential upgrade between Melton and Caroline Springs which would stretch approximately 17km between the Ferris Rd interchange and Ballarat Rd.

Major Road Projects Victoria has started planning and technical investigations into the potential Western Highway upgrade between Melton and Caroline Springs. Picture: Moving Melton

A Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV) spokeswoman said the potential upgrade would improve capacity and access to meet the growing demand in Melbourne’s west.

“We’ve recently commenced planning and technical investigations that will help inform the Business Case for this stretch of the Western Freeway between the growing suburbs of Melton and Caroline Springs,” the spokeswoman said.

Melton state Labor MP Steve McGhie said he remained confident the process would officially get underway later this year.

Melton Mayor Cr Lara Carli said the council was looking for a commitment from the federal government to include the Western Highway in its list of priority projects.

“Our submissions to the state and federal budgets this month make a strong case for investing in roads and transport infrastructure in Melton to keep our city moving,” Ms Carli said.

“As Victoria’s fastest growing municipality, we need urgent investment to make sure our ageing transport infrastructure catches up and keeps pace with our population growth,” she said.

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