No State Budget money for Craigieburn Rd duplication

THE lack of funding for the vital Craigieburn Rd duplication and other key Hume projects in the State Budget has been slammed.

Campaigner Jim Overend has slammed the State Government for ignoring the Craigieburn Rd duplication. Picture: Kris Reichl

THE State Government is facing a community backlash after it failed to fund the vital Craigieburn Rd duplication and other key Hume projects in the State Budget.

Hume Council and community groups are appalled the Government ignored the congestion and safety issues at the overloaded Craigieburn Rd.

In another slap in the face for Hume residents, the duplication of Mickleham and Somerton roads, listed on council’s budget wishlist, were also ignored.

Hume Mayor Drew Jessop said one of Australia’s fastest growing communities “has been left hanging” and there was “significant community disappointment” in the State Government’s decision not to fund the Craigieburn Rd duplication.

DUPLICATION DECISION NOT FOR MONTHS

CRAIGIEBURN RD DUPLICATION CLOSER

DIVIDING LINES PAINTED ON CRAIGIEBURN RD

Road campaigner Jim Overend said Craigieburn Rd was never designed to carry 30,000 cars a day and it had created a “dangerous” situation for both motorists and pedestrians who were forced to “play chicken” crossing the road.

Craigieburn Residents’ Association president Debra Phippen said the association met the day after the budget and were “horrified” the project was ignored, despite Roads Minister Luke Donnellan attending a meeting with 400 concerned residents last year.

Cr Jessop said there was “extensive proof” of the “desperate” need for the duplication, including a state funded $250,000 feasibility study.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF CRAIGIEBURN RD MISSING OUT? Comment below

“Our community has experienced a decade of record growth in the northern growth corridor but state-controlled arterial road upgrades have not matched the growth in the area, putting real strain on local traffic, causing increased congestion and creating safety risks,” Cr Jessop said.

“The community needs the Victorian Government to take us seriously and provide support for road projects such as the Bulla Bypass and the duplication of Craigieburn Rd, Mickleham Rd and Somerton Rd.”

More than 28,000 motorists use the single-lane Craigieburn Rd between Hanson Rd and Bridgewater Rd each day.

Yuroke state Labor MP Ros Spence said she was “disappointed that funding to duplicate Craigieburn Rd was not included in this budget”.

“However, I will continue to advocate for these important works and I look forward to completion of the business case later this year,” she said.

Sunbury state MP Josh Bull signalled that money would be allocated to a VicRoads investigation into finding a route for the Bulla Bypass.

“Funds will flow straight to VicRoads for that work to begin as it will set us up for how much this project will cost and what route it would take,” he said.

“VicRoads needs that funding so we can get the planning right.”

Makeshift lines were added by a mystery resident on Craigieburn Rd last August.