The widened Eastern Freeway as it passes Doncaster Road.Credit:Victorian Government
The proposed upgrade of the Eastern Freeway for the Andrews government’s North East Link will see it widened to at least 12 lanes - and as wide as 24 lanes in sections.
The dramatic expansion of the freeway,which is now between six and 10 lanes,is expected to shave up to 11 minutes off trips on the Eastern.
But the road widening plan has been criticised by transport and planning experts,the opposition,and councils on either side of the Eastern Freeway,where 12.7 hectares of parkland will be permanently lost.
Transport experts warned the $15.8 billion North East Link was a short-sighted solution to population growth and would only increase the city’s dependence on cars. “It doesn’t make any sense. We will be the size of London and London doesn’t have new freeways,” Monash University transport studies professor Graham Currie said.
Government documents outlining the road expansion,to start next year,also show a widely praised underground rail link to Melbourne’s CBD is not expected to be finished within the next 18 years.
"Metro Tunnel 2 was not included in the modelling,as it is anticipated to be completed beyond 2036,"the reports said.
The North East Link will create an orbital freeway around Melbourne,and carry a projected 135,000 vehicles daily by 2036.
The government expects it will shift around 30,000 vehicles off arterial roads,but official reports admit it would drive up car numbers across the network,especially on roads in the city’s north.