Thursday, 17 August 2023

Sydenham electorate transport infrastructure

Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Education, Minister for Women) (09:52): I rise to provide an update on Sydenham’s Big Build. Last week I visited the Calder Park Drive level crossing removal site along with the Parliamentary Secretary for Level Crossing Removals the member for Sunbury. Works are powering ahead 24/7 to build the temporary road which will divert traffic around the construction site, and the team have also started the piling works to build the foundations for the new rail bridge. The dangerous boom gates will be gone for good by 2025, which will make traffic flow better in the area, a major relief in easing congestion for the 10,000 drivers that use this road daily.

The Metro Tunnel has also marked the biggest milestone to date, with the first trains entering the testing phase. Once completed, the tunnel will be an absolute game changer for Sydenham residents travelling to the city and across our state. We are delivering more trains more often for our growing community.

Construction teams are out at Melton Highway right now working on vital safety upgrades at high-risk locations, making sure that safety barriers are installed to fill the gaps from The Regency in Hillside all the way to the Calder Freeway in Keilor. The Andrews Labor government’s investment in roads and transport connections in the west is absolutely vital to our locals being able to live, work and travel safely and to spend more time at home, not on the roads.