Tuesday, 17 October 2023

Western Metropolitan Region

Trung LUU (Western Metropolitan) (15:31): (453) My question is for the Minister for Roads and Road Safety. Can the minister please provide an update on the findings and recommendations of the business case that has been undertaken for the Calder Freeway upgrade and the proposed diamond interchange? A report by Infrastructure Australia says that by 2023 the Calder Freeway will be the second most congested road in Melbourne. Upgrades are badly needed, and this is now Victoria’s most deadly road. Five lives have been lost since 2015. The federal government pledged $250 million for the road and the state Labor government promised $50 million by 2021. Community consultation finished two years ago, and the business case was completed last year. My constituents have not heard anything about this project – when it will start or whether it will start at all. Can the minister please update the house and my constituents about the findings of the business case?