Motorists in the Melbourne’s western suburbs will continue to suffer congested roads
under the Baillieu Government’s East-West link road plan, Shadow Minister for Major
Projects and Infrastructure, Tim Pallas said today.

Mr Pallas said the Baillieu Government has ignored departmental advice and plans
to build Melbourne’s East-West Link from the east, despite advice that the project should begin from the west.

“For nearly two years the Linking Melbourne Authority has been pleading with Roads
Minister Terry Mulder to start construction on Westlink in the first quarter of
next year which would ease traffic congestion significantly,” Mr Pallas said.

“Instead of listening to the experts, the much needed second Maribyrnong River
crossing will be decades away under the Baillieu Government.”

Documents released to the State Opposition under freedom of information laws detail the
Linking Melbourne Authority’s preferred option and repeated requests to start
construction on the western link in early 2013.

Shadow Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Luke Donnellan said instead of works
starting in the next four months to alleviate significant road congestion on
the West Gate Bridge, western suburbs motorists would be condemned to years of
road congestion under the Baillieu Government.

“Mr Baillieu and Mr Mulder have abandoned Williamstown electorate motorists and are
now pushing ahead with plans to build from the eastern end, with work expected
to start in 2015,” Mr Donnellan said.

“Mr Mulder has continually delayed the early delivery of the second river crossing.

A second river crossing is essential because when the West Gate Bridge comes to a standstill the entire road network comes to a halt.

“Mr Baillieu and Mr Mulder need to stop playing politics with western suburbs
motorists and get on with the job of building the second river crossing as a
priority project, not in 10 years time.”