Labor pledges $20m for Craigieburn Rd duplication ahead of federal election

COMMUTERS in this part of Melbourne’s northwest could finally have their prayers answered with a $20 million promise made to duplicate a major road.

Hume Mayor Helen Patsikatheodorou with McEwen federal Labor MP Rob Mitchell following today’s announcement. Picture: Supplied.

CRAIGIEBURN commuters could finally have their prayers answered with a $20 million pledge made towards a major arterial.

Labor today made the multi-million dollar promise to widen Craigieburn Rd if elected at the July 2 polls.

The project would be for stage one of duplication, between Hanson Rd and Dorchester St, which is used by more than 28,000 vehicles a day.

McEwen federal Labor MP Rob Mitchell said they had listened to the community’s calls.

“One of the issues people say is ‘traffic’ — it takes more time to get to work, you can’t get anywhere, it’s hard for our emergency services,” he said.

“We talk about putting people first and this is putting people first.”

He said the road was a “major headache” for people, much like the fight for traffic lights at Hanson Rd had been.

“It’s been a much-needed road fixture,” Mr Mitchell said.

“(If Labor is elected) it’d be well under way in the next term.”

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Denis Moore of the Craigieburn Residents’ Association said it was fantastic news, particularly with the rising population, which is expected to reach 60,000 people in the next 20 years.

He said 16 organisations fronted Craigieburn Rd, including emergency services, sporting clubs and a school.

“That (puts) me on top of the world,” Mr Moore said.

“That’s something we’ve been chasing for a long time.

“I hope that the other candidates … will support it.”

Craigieburn man Jim Overend, who has been the driving force behind a petition over the past year to get the road widened and traffic lights installed at Dorchester St, said it was what they’d been fighting for all along.

He said about 1000 signatures had already been gathered over two rounds of petitions.

“It’s mostly for the safety of the community,” Mr Overend said.

“It’s a very dangerous road that’s been neglected for so long.

“It doesn’t matter who makes the promises … it’s important for everybody to get on board.

“It will alleviate so much stress and give motorists more time to get to where they need to go.”

Craigieburn Rd provides connections between the Hume Highway, Bridgewater Rd, Aitken Blvd and Mickleham Rd.

Hume Mayor Helen Patsikatheodorou said the council was excited by the announcement.

“The bottleneck slows down our local economy,” she said.

“The congestion forces police officers, firefighters and paramedics to weave through traffic as they respond to emergencies.”

She said council had campaigned for years to see the road addressed and has called on other McEwen candidates, including Liberal Chris Jermyn, to match the promise.

“Craigieburn is home to so many young families and they deserve to enjoy the roads and public transport options which people in more established parts of Melbourne take for granted,” Cr Patsikatheodorou said.

Hume Leader has left messages for Mr Jermyn.