By Candice BoyLe
THE extra traffic expected during the proposed upgrades to the West Gate Bridge needs to be addressed to ensure roads in the municipality do not bear the brunt of traffic, according to Maribyrnong City Council mayor Michael Clarke.
His comments follow last week’s announcement by the State Government of the appointment of contractors for the $42 million upgrade project.
Cr Clarke has welcomed the developments that will see a change lane created on the bridge to provide an additional lane for traffic in the peak direction.
Despite his support of the upgrades, Cr Clarke said he would be ensuring the State Government was aware of the potential impact the construction could have on the roads in the municipality.
“We want to have input in the strategy they are looking at to manage the traffic and make sure there is not an overflow onto the streets of Maribyrnong,” he said.
The Minister for Roads and Ports, Tim Pallas, announced the contract as part of the $1 billion Monash-CityLink-West Gate upgrade project.
The project includes:
INTRODUCING a state-of-the-art traffic management system that includes features such as ramp metering and real time traffic information; and
CHANGING traffic flows on the West Gate Bridge to allow for five lanes of traffic in the peak direction.
The construction works are expected to start later this year.
