2015-09-18
The Greens say the new Western Distributor plans raises further questions and concerns, and are calling on Transurban and the Andrews Government to release the traffic modelling.
“The new route plan raises more questions and concerns than it answers. We need the traffic modelling released urgently, so we can understand the assumptions and true impact of the proposal well before it is signed off,” said Colleen Hartland, Greens MP for the Western Suburbs.
“The new off-ramps will presumably also be tolled, so we still have a financial incentive for container trucks to use local streets and to continue to impact negatively on residents, and no commitment from the government to stop it.”
“The new route will create a six lane flyover over the Stoney Creek and take a significant chunk out of Hyde Street Reserve, significantly increasing the environmental impact of the proposed project.”
“This effectively is duplication of the road proposal with both a tunnel and an above ground road upgrade. This project is getting bigger and presumably more costly every day, which suites Transurban just fine as drivers will be the ones paying for it.”
“If the Port Rail Shuttle goes ahead, which would remove about 3500 trucks from the route every day, and the freeway off-ramps are built, the business case of the Western Distributor will be less favourable unless they crank up the tolls on cars.”
“It begs the question whether the Port Rail Shuttle has been shelved to improve the business case of the western distributor. The loss of tolls from 3500 trucks daily couldn’t be good for the bottom line of the project.”
“Between the Port Rail Shuttle, which will take about 3500 trucks off local streets, and the West Gate truck off-ramps, it really begs the question whether the Western Distributor tunnel tollway is necessary and throws into doubt the value for money of the $5.5 billion plus project.”
“The traffic modelling from Citilink expansion has shown a significant increase in traffic generated and the Western Distributor proposal will no doubt do the same at a time when we need to be reducing our transport pollution and congestion.”
“We are happy that Transurban has heard our calls on the need to complete the federation bike and walking trail connection.”
“It’s not the case that no houses will need to be acquired. If the freeway off-ramps and the northern section of the Truck Action Plan are built, then it follows that Hyde and Whitehall roads will need to be strengthened and widened as per the middle section of that original plan, and house acquisitions were always likely with this.”
“The question of where the emission stacks will be placed remains, but seems more likely to be in the park and closer to houses under this new proposal,” said Ms Hartland.