Resurrected East West Link would need redesign: RACV

A LEADING roads group says a resurrected East West Link would have to be redesigned to maximise benefits of another planned toll road in Melbourne’s northeast.

A LEADING roads group says a resurrected East West Link would have to be redesigned to maximise benefits of another planned toll road in Melbourne’s northeast.

The RACV’s general manager of policy, Bryce Prosser, said the dumped East West Link and the mooted North East Link were both necessary projects.

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The Herald Sun revealed yesterday that Opposition Leader Matthew Guy would promise to build both if the coalition was elected next year — potentially as one massive project.

However, big questions remain about funding the toll roads, and how to sequence them.

Federal Liberal MP Kevin Andrews speaks at an East West Link rally in Ringwood. Picture: Ian Currie

“There are issues with building both of these projects simultaneously including long-term construction congestion and scheduling issues,” Mr Prosser said.
“It is also important that a final design for North East Link is picked in order to predict east-west traffic volumes — a crucial piece of information for the design of any east-west link.”

The $6.8 billion East West Link stage one project would connect the Eastern Freeway to CityLink in Parkville, via a 4.4km tunnel.

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Traffic congestion near the Northern Ring Road and Greensborough Bypass. Picture: Josie Hayden

The $8 billion to $16 billion North East Link would connect the M80 in Greensborough to either the Eastern Freeway or EastLink.

Mr Guy said the party was taking advice on whether both could be built at a similar time or “sequenced”.

Premier Daniel Andrews said people had made their feelings about the East West Link clear at the last election.

“We are delivering the projects Victorians voted for last time and if they vote for us again next time we will get on and build the North East Link, a road that stacks up,” he said.

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