The western section of the East West Link road upgrade has received $1.5 billion of federal funding.
Federal member for Corangamite Sarah Henderson said the funding boost would enable the western section to be constructed sooner.
“It will make a huge difference to the thousands of Geelong commuters who struggle daily with the West Gate Bridge,” she said.
Premier Denis Napthine and Prime Minister Tony Abbott jointly announced the western section of East West Link this morning.
Mr Napthine said the western section would also receive funding in the next state budget, enabling completion of the full East West Link project.
The road project is an 18 kilometre cross-city road connection extending across Melbourne from the Eastern Freeway to the Western Ring Road.
“Once the East West Link is completed, motorists will save 15 to 20 minutes in travel time when coming from Geelong, Werribee, Altona and Laverton to the city and other key destinations.
“Not only will the East West Link reduce traffic congestion on Melbourne’s roads and streets, it will also create jobs.
Stage one of the project will create 3,200 jobs and stage two will create 3,000 jobs in the construction phase.”
The Commonwealth Government contribution to the project is in addition to its $1.5 billion funding of the $6 to $8 billion eastern section of the East West Link.
