More than 100 financiers and constructors come together to provide input on Victoria's East-West Link project
July 19, 2012
An industry briefing about the East-West Link has seen more than 100 financiers and constructors come together to have an input on the project.
Victorian Roads Minister Terry Mulder says the government is tapping into the private sector for knowledge to ensure it develops a thorough and effective business case.
The East-West Link will be an 18km cross-city connection between the Eastern Freeway and Western Ring Road, with the eastern section providing a link between the Eastern and Tullamarine freeways and the port area.
“It’s a sign of the interest in the East-West Link that we have local, interstate and international industry representatives ready to talk with us about how best to plan, engineer, produce and fund this landmark project in the future,” Mulder says.
“The East-West Link would change the face of Melbourne by improving our east-west connections across the city, providing an essential alternative to the Monash and West Gate freeways and reducing congestion on inner northern and western suburban roads.”
The briefing is the first in a series of discussions with industry players to gather input about the range of funding options available.
A number of one-on-one meetings will be held over the coming months to gather further ideas, Mulder adds.
“The project has the potential to enhance the liveability and improve public transport services in Melbourne’s inner suburbs by removing through traffic from local roads and providing a greater priority to be given to north-south tram and bus routes,” he says.
The business case is due to for completion early next year.
