MEDIA RELEASE

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport,
Regional Development and Local Government

The Australian Coat of Arms

13 May 2008
BUDGET-INFRA 03/2008

INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING FOR VICTORIA TOPS $497 MILLION

The Rudd Government will invest over $497 million in nation-building road and rail projects in Victoria - including $51 million to make an early start on election commitments.

Urgent action is needed to fix Australia's over-stretched transport networks and build infrastructure to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

That's why we're getting a head start on $51 million worth of projects in Victoria that weren't due to commence until 2009-10, as well as delivering projects to upgrade interstate transport networks and critical freight corridors.

Victoria's budget infrastructure package will deliver on our election commitments, tackle major bottlenecks and help make our roads safer.

Our $51 million to make an early start on election commitments includes:

  • $25 million to strengthen and improve capacity on the Westgate Bridge;

  • $6.5 million for Stage 4A of Geelong Ring Road to extend it to Anglesea Road;

  • $5 million to improve the traffic capacity of Melbourne's Western Ring Road;

  • $5 million to plan the Western Highway duplication from Ballarat to Stawell;

  • $5 million to progress planning and preconstruction activities for the Goulburn Valley Highway Nagambie Bypass;

  • $3 million to upgrade and improve safety on the Colac-Lavers Hill Road;

  • $1 million to plan the Princes Highway West duplication between Waurn Ponds and Winchelsea; and

  • $0.5 million to plan Princes Highway East duplication from Traralgon to Sale.

Overall, the 2008-09 Budget investment in Victorian transport infrastructure allocates:

  • $277.0 million for construction projects and maintenance on Victoria's 3,846 kilometres of road and rail National Land Transport Network;

  • $12.9 million for 34 AusLink Strategic Regional projects promoting regional development;

  • $74.0 million for local roads under the Roads to Recovery Program which is in addition to the $118.9 million allocated to roads under Federal Financial Assistance Grants;

  • $11.4 million to eliminate 55 road safety black spots';

  • $2.0 million for improvements to the Whitehorse/Springvale Road intersection; and

  • $1.0 million for the Echuca Bridge under the Murray River Bridges-Federation Fund program.

The Government will continue to implement its land transport infrastructure election commitments from 2009-10 to 2013-14 with timing and specific funding arrangements to be negotiated with states and territories during 2008.

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Media Contacts

Jeff Singleton ( Mr Albanese's Office ) 0410 476 890

 

URL: http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2008/May/budget-infra_03-2008.htm