Transurban’s local manager says its new Melbourne road project would involve a $13 toll for trucks
It’s still in the third stage of acceptance in the State Government’s process for unsolicited proposals, but Transurban’s Western Distributor plan is gaining support.
The company’s general manager in Victoria Gary West outlined the proposal on the opening day of the Victorian Transport Association’s (VTA’s) 2015 conference.
“We looked at how to deliver a good solution at good costs,” West says.
“The Western Distributor will allow for travel times of up to three times faster (from the city’s west to the Port of Melbourne.
“It would have a 160-tonne limit, and a maximum gradient of 3.5 degrees.”
It would be combined with strengthening work on the connecting West Gate freeway.
West says the current proposed toll for trucks will be $13 per trip, which is similar to the existing tolls on Transurban’s CityLink.
A private car will be charged $3 per trip.
“We wouldn’t commence tolls until the end of the project [at the end of 2020] so there will be time to add costs onto forward contracts.”
Victorian shadow minister for ports Dave Hodgett, who opened the VTA conference, says the state opposition has not yet been convinced of the project’s viability.
“We’re not convinced that it’s the best solution for Victoria,” he says.