Progress Made on $80 Million Commitment to Improve Whitehorse & Springvale Roads

 

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has today received a comprehensive study of options to improve the notorious Springvale Road-Whitehorse Road intersection and railway crossing at Nunawading in Melbourne's outer-east.

The recommended option in the study prepared by Maunsell Australia is:

• A grade separation of the railway crossing by lowering the tracks below Springvale Road;
• A new train station at Nunawading; and
• Other major improvements to safety and public transport in the area.

Mr Albanese said "The Rudd Labor Government is absolutely committed to improving one of the most congested intersections in Australia and deliver safer roads for eastern Melbourne.

"Today I met with Mike Symon, Member for Deakin and John Koutras, Mayor of Whitehorse City Council in Parliament House to receive the study report, prepared by Maunsell Australia.

"We made an election commitment of $80 million to the intersection. As part of this commitment, we committed $2 million in the May Budget to start the necessary planning work.

"The Springvale Road-Whitehorse Road intersection has a very poor safety record, with more than 50 casualty crashes in the last five years, and the railway level crossing is ranked number 1 in Victoria in terms of risk according to the Australian Level Crossing Assessment Model (ALCAM).

"I want to commend Mike Symon for making strong representations about the need for this project on behalf of local residents and businesses."

Mr Symon said "Thousands of residents in the outer east tackle the intersection every day to get to work and school and they know only too well how congested and frustrating it is at both peak and off-peak times.

"Residents in the outer east have been waiting a very long time for news that something is finally being done. And now it is.

"Now that the detailed study is complete, we know exactly what our options are.

"Under the previous federal government, local residents heard a lot of rhetoric for nearly 12 years and absolutely no action."

Mr Albanese said, "The next steps are for the Government to assess the recommendations as soon as possible and work collaboratively with the Victorian Government.

"The Rudd Government stands ready to work with the Victorian Government and the Whitehorse City Council to fix this intersection for everyone in the outer east."

Whitehorse Mayor Councillor John Koutras said that he was delighted with the outcome of a meeting held with Minister Albanese this week.

"The Springvale Road level crossing is Council's biggest road safety concern and the spirit of cooperation between Federal, State and Local Government to fix it is extremely positive for the resident's and commuters in Whitehorse."