28 October 2007

$150 Million Delivered for Frankston Bypass

A re-elected Coalition Government will deliver $150 million towards the construction of a toll-free Frankston Bypass.

This announcement is part of the Coalition's 2020 plan for Australia's Transport Future, an integrated vision tackling local roads and national highways.

This is a project that has been pushed by Bruce Billson, Liberal Member for Dunkley, who has secured this commitment for the local community. Bruce has been tireless in knocking on my door at every opportunity to press the case for the Coalition Government to provide funding to get the bypass built.

The Coalition's commitment will provide up to a maximum $150 million to be matched by the Victorian Government for the construction of a toll-free Frankston Bypass. This will be a State road which the State would otherwise have to fund in its entirety.

The bypass will need to connect to both Frankston Freeway and Eastlink in the north, follow an environmental responsible alignment, and make provision for bicycle paths.

Mr Billson welcomed the funding announcement: "Frankston Bypass will ultimately connect from the EastLink and Frankston Freeway interchange in the north, skirt around the residential areas to the east of Frankston and join either the Moorooduc Highway or Mornington Peninsula Freeway south of the city, depending on the route selected. An Environmental Effects Statement (EES) process is currently underway," he said.

"Vehicles will be able to bypass the southern section of the Frankston Freeway, the heavily congested Frankston Freeway/Frankston-Cranbourne Road intersection and the residential areas abutting Frankston-Flinders Road to the south of the intersection where traffic noise and volumes are a major concern.

"By removing a notorious traffic bottleneck at Frankston, the bypass will reduce travel times to and from Melbourne for residents, businesses, tourists and freight, improve safety for motorists, and improve amenity for residents on the current highway route," Mr Billson said.

The Coalition is able to invest in important roads like this because it has managed a strong economy. Our plans for the future involve investment in strategic and targeted roads to ensure a safe and efficient transport network to move families from home to work and goods from producers to consumers.