Cash to ease traffic jams and crowding on busy train lines across Melbourne

OUR most congested roads and railways will see more than $6 billion in upgrades over the next five years, including traffic bottlenecks across Melbourne’s northern and southeastern suburbs.

OVERCROWDED roads and railways will receive more than $6 billion in upgrades over the next five years in a pre-election boost to some of Victoria’s most congested transport corridors.

A $2.2 billion funding package will upgrade 13 arterial roads identified as traffic bottlenecks across Melbourne’s northern and southeastern suburbs.

“This will slash travel times, improve connections between our fastest growing communities and give local roads back to local residents,” Roads Minister Luke Donnellan said.

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Maintenance works will strengthen the West Gate Bridge to handle increased freight volumes and $500,000 will be put aside for a review into new truck driver training.

Hundreds of regional roads will also be fixed under a $941 million scheme partially funded by the sale of Victoria’s share of Snowy Hydro Limited.

More than $1 billion has been allocated towards Melbourne’s heaving public transport system, with funding for train, tram and bus services to jump by nearly 20 per cent.

A new order of five X’Trapolis trains will be introduced to the network over the next three years and line upgrades will pave the way for high-capacity trains to travel the full length of the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.

New bus routes and additional services will be added to suburbs in Melbourne’s west and southeast under a $55.7 million pledge.

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“This Budget continues our overhaul of Victoria’s public transport system, to run more services, more often and get people home safer and sooner,” Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said.

“We’re delivering the services passengers need now and building for the future — removing level crossings, ordering new trains and delivering the Metro Tunnel.”

The State Government will also begin detailed planning of a fast train to Geelong and put $1 million towards a business case for active transport and tram connections to Fishermans Bend.

Funding for train and tram services was more than $380 million than forecast in 2017-18 Budget after Metro Trains and Yarra Trams signed new franchise agreements last year.

In his Budget speech, Treasurer Tim Pallas said the Andrews Government had invested more than $35 billion on road and rail projects.

“They create tens of thousands of jobs, ease congestion in the suburbs, better connect our regions and make it easier to move freight,” he said.

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