Over the next twelve months the Federal Labor Government’s ambitious capital works program will continue unabated, with the 2012-13 Budget delivering a further instalment of $901.0 million in funding to start, progress and complete a range of projects in Victoria.
All up, we are providing an unprecedented $6.8 billion from our six-year
Nation Building Program (2008-09 to 2013-14) to rebuild and renew the State’s road, rail and public transport infrastructure. Already,
Labor has more than doubled annual infrastructure spending from $89 to $201 per Victorian.
As a result of this record funding, work will start in 2012-13 on the installation of the latest freeway management technology along the West Gate Freeway including new mounted variable speed limit signs, ramp signalling, closed circuit TV and variable message signs (Federal contribution: $12.5 million –
National Smart Managed Motorways Program).
Furthermore, construction will continue on a range of major projects including:
- Regional Rail Link, currently the nation’s biggest public transport infrastructure project and Melbourne’s first major new rail line in 80 years which will connect West Werribee to Southern Cross Station.
– Federal contribution: $3.2 billion.
- Widening the Western Ring Road to a minimum of three lanes in each direction.
– Federal contribution: $788.8 million.
- Widening the Metropolitan Ring Road to a minimum of three lanes in each direction.
– Federal contribution: $111.2 million.
At the other end of the cycle, we expect to complete work on the following projects by the end of June next year:
- Construction of the 17 km Nagambie Bypass.
– Federal contribution: $151.0 million.
- Construction of Stage 4B of the new Geelong Ring Road (Angelsea Road to the Princes Highway).
– Federal contribution: $45.0 million.
- Construction of the new Wimmera Intermodal Terminal at Dooen near Horsham.
– Federal contribution: $6.5 million.
In addition, the 2012-13 Budget maintains funding for a range of initiatives which will make our local roads better and safer:
- $13.6 million to eliminate another 63 dangerous black spots on local roads;
- $177.5 million to assist councils and shires across the State to maintain and upgrade their local roads.
From the outset Federal Labor’s mission has been to reverse the neglect we inherited and invest in the modern, well-planned infrastructure that will make working people’s lives easier, our businesses more competitive and the national economy stronger, not just for the next five years but for the next five decades.
Across the length and breadth of the State that’s precisely what we are doing. Federal Labor is setting Victoria up for the future with good infrastructure which will stand the test of time.
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Project Status for Victoria for 2012–13