Article: $30 million Victorian transport study

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$30 million Victorian transport study

$30 million Victorian transport study

The Commonwealth Government has promised its support for projects to improve Melbourne?s transport infrastructure and liveability.

The Federal Government will provide $12 million for the $30 million study, a joint initiative between the Commonwealth and Victorian governments, which will appraise the feasibility of projects identified in the report "Investing in Transport - East West Link Needs Assessment".

The report, which adopts a 30-year perspective on urban congestion, was prepared for the Victorian Government by Sir Rod Eddington, chair of Infrastructure Australia.

Due to dramatic growth in population and intercity travel, urban congestion is estimated to cost Melbourne-based families and businesses $6.1 billion per year by 2020.

The projects to be examined include the construction of a 17 km Melbourne Metro rail tunnel linking Melbourne?s eastern and western suburbs and a new rail connection from Werribee to Sunshine to increase frequency and reliability of services from Werribee, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo.

These projects are projected to cost between $7.5 billion and $8.5 billion.

The projects to proceed to feasibility stage will be decided through community consultation, and the Commonwealth Government will invest in accordance with the criteria specified in the recently-announced $20 billion Building Australia Fund.

In 2008-09, the Federal Government?s commitment to upgrading Victoria?s transport infrastructure includes $53 million for the Deep Park Bypass and Leakes Road Interchange, $24 million for the Geelong Ring Road and $26 million for the Dynon Port Rail Link.