Media Statement Monash and Princes freeways upgrades
Published on 04 September 2019
Statement by Monash Mayor Shane McCluskey:
Monash Council welcomes the announcement by the State and Federal Governments for additional funding for major upgrades to the Monash and Princes freeways.
This is a huge project and will greatly improve accessibility to Monash – a thriving and economically significant community home to the Monash National Employment and Innovation Cluster.
The Monash Cluster supports approximately 75,000 jobs across a diverse range of industries and contributes more than $9.4 billion to the Victorian economy each year.
As the largest workplace outside of the CBD, the Cluster is home to Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, Monash Children’s Hospital, CSIRO, the Australian Synchroton and soon, the Victorian Heart Hospital. It also hosts a range of world class businesses such as Bosch, Pfizer and Dulux.
Greater investment in road and public transport infrastructure in the area could see employment in the Cluster grow by another 70,000 jobs over the next 10 to 15 years.
These upgrades are a step in the right direction and will ease traffic congestion on major roads, shave commuting times and continue to create more employment opportunity outside of the CBD.
The upgrades will start early next year and are expected to be completed in 2022.
Council is pleased that this investment will see the Monash Cluster continue to be a hub of innovation and high quality living for all.
Council is also calling on the State and Federal Governments to commit funding to the critical Westall Road extension.
Westall Road is an important road network link from Monash Freeway, Mulgrave to the Dandenong and Dingley Bypasses, which provides connections to major arterials through to the South Gippsland Highway, Dandenong South and to Warrigal Road.
This link is critical to ease congestion, divert traffic from overloaded roads (including Blackburn, Clayton and Springvale roads) and provide opportunities for increased public transport on these roads.
Media Contact: Jo Robertson 0418 391 979 or email joanne.robertson@monash.vic.gov.au