Charge on companies who block busy roads to be extended across 121 Melbourne suburbs
A bold trial which saw a construction firm alter its occupancy of a busy intersection from 92 days to just one day, is about to be rolled out across hundreds of Melbourne suburbs. Here’s what it means for your commute.
VIC News
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A charge on developers who block busy inner-city roads will be extended across 121 Melbourne suburbs in a bid to cut down on traffic jams triggered by construction.
Roads Minister Jaala Pulford revealed the scheme, first rolled out in 2018, would be extended after a successful trial in the City of Yarra.
The Road Occupation Charge will slug companies between $173 and $252 per day for every lane they take up during work.
During the trial, one firm that had planned to occupy a busy intersection for 92 days altered its schedule so that it would only block traffic for one day.
Roads Minister Jaala Pulford said the change would cut down traffic snarls across the city.
“Private construction companies blocking lanes on our arterial roads keeps Victorians in their cars even longer on their daily commute and has a serious impact on our economy,” she said.
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The study found the scheme reduced the amount of time private companies spent occupying road space by up to 75 per cent.
Suburbs impacted by the new roles range from Beaumaris and Balwyn North to Glenroy and Kingsville in the west.
Local governments already charge developers who set up scaffolding at works on their roads and this program will extend that system to arterial roads managed by the state government.