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Congestion rising, but VicRoads says it’s on the case

Congestion on Melbourne's freeways set to boom, but VicRoads says it’s working to accommodate rising traffic volumes and population growth

By Ruza Zivkusic-Aftasi | February 6, 2012

Congestion on Melbourne’s freeways is set to increase by 101,500 cars, according to traffic projections from VicRoads.

Obtained under freedom of information (FOI) by The Herald Sun, the projections show an influx of cars on the Monash Freeway, the West Gate Bridge, the Tullamarine Freeway and the Eastern Freeway by 2016.

VicRoads Executive Director Robert Freemantle told ATN the department is continually planning to improve the arterial road network to manage congestion and maintain accessibility.

“Melbourne’s freeways have been designed to operate efficiently while carrying the bulk of the daily traffic volume and heavy vehicles, and they will continue to do so into the future,” Freemantle says.

“With increasing traffic volumes due to population growth, VicRoads continues to implement [an] ongoing programme of road improvement projects designed to accommodate this trend.”

Freemantle cited the recent opening of Kororoit Creek Road duplication and rail separation, the Calder Freeway Kings Road interchange and duplication, a new lane across Moonee Ponds Creek as part of the M80 upgrade and the $1.39 billion Monash-City Link-West Gate upgrade as examples.

“To ease suburban traffic congestion, VicRoads has undertaken the detailed planning for the Springvale Road, Springvale and Mitcham and Rooks Road rail grade separations in 2011,” he says.

“The 2011 State Budget (has) provided funding to plan for the removal of Melbourne’s 10 worst level crossings.”

Detailed planning investigations will also be conducted for rail crossings on Burke Road, North Road, Mountain Highway and Scoresby Road, Bayswater and Blackburn Road to ease congestion.

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