By Brendan Rees
Two major roundabouts in Lyndhurst and Cranbourne West would be removed and replaced with underpasses in a “congestion-busting project” to improve traffic flow if the Liberals win the 2018 State Election, Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has promised.
Under the plan, Mr Guy would create underpasses at the intersections at Hall Road and Western Port Highway in Cranbourne West, and Thompsons Road and Western Port Highway in Lyndhurst.
He said it would be part of a four to five billion commitment to removing traffic lights and roundabouts through grade separations at 55 of Melbourne and Geelong’s most congested intersections on the busiest arterial roads.
He said traffic congestion caused “delays and frustrations.”
“We’ve got to get rid of them. We’ve got to make driving in our growth areas safer and to do that we have to wipe out these intersections, replace them with an underpasses and cut down on congestion,” My Guy said.
Mr Guy visited the roundabouts at Lyndhurst and Cranbourne West for the announcement on Monday 20 November, saying traffic congestion makes “our arterial roads dangerous for all road users.”
“It is about saving lives, it is about saving time, it is about saving money.”
“It’s fully costed, fully funded and importantly it picks up the RACV’S red spot program which Hall Road, Western Port Highway was identified.”
He said if the Liberal Nationals Government were elected they would expand the role and operations of the Level Crossing Removal Authority – which would be renamed Intersection Removal Victoria – to manage the funded infrastructure project.
“Construction of the first intersection removals will commence as soon as possible with a target of completing 30 grade separations within the first term of government and completing another 25 in the following term.”
Also at the announcement was Liberal candidate for Carrum Donna Bauer who said two intersections at Hall Road and Thompsons Road were two of our “most hated” intersections in the Carrum electorate.
“Families I’ve even seen commenting on social media that they’ve had to wait in traffic for 20 minutes and can’t get their kids to school in the morning.
“You’re waiting up to half an hour in the afternoons so absolutely this is exciting news. It’s a welcomed announcement.”
Liberal candidate for Cranbourne Ann-Marie Hermans said with more than 70 per cent of Cranbourne residents travelling to the city by car, traffic congestion at the two roundabouts was “really difficult for people,” adding removing the congestion hot spots meant “Less time on the roads more time with families.”
Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan said: “While the Liberals talk about infrastructure, we’re building it.”
“We’re upgrading the suburban roads that people rely on every day – like Thompson’s Road and Narre Warren North Road – just to name a few,”
He said the Liberals did “nothing for four years,” adding “traffic backed up across the state while the Liberals sat on their hands.”
