By ANEEKA SIMONIS
THE Federal Government has said it is sure that the Victorian Government will agree to the Prime Minister’s newly announced $1 billion Monash Freeway widening project.
Major Projects Minister Paul Fletcher’s optimistic statement that “we are confident we will reach an agreement” comes just days after state Roads Minister Luke Donnellan criticised the federal infrastructure plan as “birdbrained”.
He accused the Commonwealth of failing to adequately research the project or consult the Andrews government before announcing the huge $500 million cash injection.
An identified “priority” project under Malcolm Turnbull’s Monash Freeway widening project is the upgrade to the Beaconsfield diamond interchange site in addition to extension works along O’Shea Road.
Mr Fletcher met with La Trobe MP Jason Wood, Cardinia shire Mayor Jodie Owen and City of Casey Mayor Sam Aziz at the site on Wednesday 20 April.
He said works to complete the interchange will help connect the two fast-growing municipalities in addition to cutting congestion on the overworked freeway and feeder roads, particularly Clyde Road.
The project will include installation of two easterly ramps at the Pakenham Bypass Princes Highway interchange to be connected to an extended O’Shea Road.
Five families move into Cardinia Shire each day and the same growth rates are experienced in the City of Casey.
The Monash Freeway cannot keep up in its current state, according to Mr Aziz.
“There is no room for half-baked solutions here. We need the State Government to put politics aside so residents don’t suffer for decades to come,” he said.
“When it came to the Hallam Bypass, the government of the day didn’t build two extra lanes as planned in order to claim the project was delivered under-budget and under time.
“This project needs to be embraced fully or the same will happen again. We don’t want a lot of money spent with no discernible gain.”
The $26 million Beaconsfield diamond interchange upgrade has been factored into the Federal Government’s $500 million contribution to the Monash Freeway upgrade.
However, project funds will not be released to the State Government unless they match the Commonwealth dollar for dollar.
The Monash Freeway upgrade is centrepiece in the Federal Government’s major $1.5 billion funding boost for Victorian roads.
The proposal seeks to add one extra lane in each direction between Warrigal Road in Chadstone to Cardinia Road in Pakenham.
It’s a significantly longer upgrade than that proposed by the Andrews Government which currently seeks to contribute $400 million to widen the freeway between the EastLink Interchange to Clyde Road, Berwick.
Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan said the state has begun its Monash Freeway upgrade plan and it will not be thrown out.
“The Turnbull Government has failed to undertake the detailed work and develop a business case or even outline to the community what it’s proposing,” he said.
“We’ve already started widening the Monash by moving to the next phase.
“We’ve announced that three highly experienced construction teams had been shortlisted to complete the design and construction of the additional lanes and widening.”
However, Mr Fletcher told the Gazette that he was that positive both federal and state governments will come to an agreement over the vital road project.
“The people want and need the Andrews and Turnbull government to reach an agreement,” he said.
He will soon hold talks with Mr Donnellan on the project.
