A Shorten Labor Government will commit $5 million towards a feasibility study for the North East Link in Melbourne.

This is the first step towards dealing with the dangerously high levels of congestion across the north-eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

Right now, residents in suburbs like Rosanna and Greensborough know that the current suburban road network is inadequate, congested and dangerous.

Traffic congestion on Rosanna Road, Lower Plenty Road, Fitzsimmons Lane and the Greensborough Highway is a major problem for residents of Melbourne’s North East.

We need long-term solutions to the transport issues in these suburbs. Federal Labor is committed to finding those solutions.

This funding will ensure the proper planning takes place so any new development will reduce congestion and make our local road network safer for local families.

Member for Jagajaga, Jenny Macklin MP, recently met with the Resolve Rosanna Road group to discuss traffic congestion and safety concerns along Rosanna Road.

“I know that traffic congestion is a huge problem for local residents. A recent VicRoads report highlighted the very serious safety problems on Rosanna Road,” Ms Macklin said.

“We need long-term solutions to traffic congestion in Melbourne’s North East. We need to get trucks off local suburban streets like Rosanna Road and the only way we can do that is if we seriously examine building a North East Link.

“That’s why Labor is committing $5 million to examine building a North East Link,” Ms Macklin said.

Infrastructure Victoria, an independent authority, is examining Melbourne’s top infrastructure priorities – including North East Link.

Infrastructure Victoria is expected to finalise its report later this year.

Together with the planning that will be undertaken by a Shorten Labor Government, a comprehensive plan for dealing with the transport issues in the north east will be developed.