Labor announces $250 million for Eastern Freeway bus lanes as part of $3.5 billion transport plan

Labor has matched the federal government’s $1.75 billion commitment to the North East Link and topped it up with a $250 million boost for Victoria’s first high-speed busway.

Labor has matched the federal government’s $1.75 billion commitment to the North East Link and topped it up with a $250 million boost for the state’s first high-speed busway.

The $15.8 billion toll road, connecting the M80 Ring Road in Greensborough to the Eastern Freeway in Bulleen, is the biggest road project in Victorian history.

The federal government delivered a $1.75 billion investment in the project in last year’s Budget, and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten confirmed today that Labor would match it if it wins next week’s election.

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Labor is also promising an extra $250 million for two separated bus-only lanes, which will be built alongside the Eastern Freeway as part of the North East Link project.

The dedicated lanes will run from Doncaster to Hoddle St, allowing buses to travel at
100km/h and slashing travel times for commuters by a third.

An artist’s impression of the new North East Link interchange. Picture: Supplied

Doncaster’s “park and ride” connection will be upgraded and a similar facility will be built in Bulleen with extra bus platforms, multi-level carparking and bike storage cages.

Labor is also promising to invest $1.5 billion on arterial road upgrades in Melbourne’s northern and southeastern suburbs — about half of which was revealed by the Herald Sun in March.

Mr Shorten and Opposition infrastructure spokesman Anthony Albanese said the total $3.5 billion package would ease congestion by building “the transport infrastructure Melbourne needs”.

“Federal Labor has developed a comprehensive plan that will ensure Victoria, Australia’s fastest growing state, has the roads and public transport networks that are fit for purpose,” Mr Shorten said.

“By tackling traffic congestion, our investments will boost productivity, thereby laying the foundations for future economic and jobs growth.”

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