The Victorian Liberals and Nationals have promised to spend $524 million duplicating Donnybrook Road and removing the level crossing at Donnybrook train station if elected in November.
The opposition says the project would cover the full 8-kilometre section of Donnybrook Road from Epping Road in Woodstock to Dwyer Street in Kalkallo.
The road is one of the major routes serving Melbourne’s rapidly growing northern suburbs, including Donnybrook, Kalkallo, Mickleham, Craigieburn and surrounding estates.
According to the Coalition, about 35,000 vehicles use Donnybrook Road each day, although the road was designed to carry about 20,000 vehicles daily.
The opposition says residents in nearby housing estates can face delays of up to 40 minutes during peak periods while trying to leave their neighbourhoods.
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson said the commitment was aimed at easing congestion in one of Melbourne’s fastest-growing corridors.
“Labor has left the residents of Melbourne’s north stuck in traffic for too long, but my team has a plan to fix it,” Ms Wilson said.
“By cleaning up corruption and stopping the Big Build rorts, our team can invest in desperately needed projects like this and deliver the infrastructure growing communities deserve.”
The Coalition has used the announcement to draw a contrast between local road projects in growth suburbs and the government’s major infrastructure program.
It has accused Labor of allowing cost blowouts and corruption concerns on major projects while neglecting basic infrastructure in outer suburban communities.
Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure Evan Mulholland said Donnybrook Road had not kept pace with population growth.
Mr Mulholland said,
“Every single day, thousands of residents in Melbourne’s north are being punished with 40-minute waits just to get out of their housing estate.”
“Donnybrook Road has been completely overwhelmed by rapid growth, yet Labor has ignored this community while billions of dollars are wasted on cost overruns and corruption on big build projects elsewhere.
“Removing the bottleneck at the level crossing and duplicating the entire eight-kilometre stretch is part of the Liberals and Nationals plan to deliver infrastructure to the very communities that have been starved of it.”
Nationals leader and Shadow Roads Minister Danny O’Brien said growing communities had been left waiting for basic road upgrades.
“While Labor has focused on mega-projects that have repeatedly blown out in cost, basic infrastructure needs of growing communities have been ignored,” Mr O’Brien said.
“We will end the waste and stop the corruption so we can deliver projects like Donnybrook Road and make it easier for local residents to get around.”
The Allan government has previously defended its transport infrastructure agenda, saying major projects are needed to support Victoria’s growth and reduce congestion across the state.
The Coalition’s Donnybrook Road announcement is expected to form part of its wider election pitch to outer-suburban voters, where congestion, housing growth, road safety and access to public transport remain major local issues.
The northern growth corridor has seen rapid residential development over the past decade, placing pressure on roads, schools, health services and public transport.
The opposition says the duplication and level crossing removal would improve safety, reduce travel times and provide more reliable access for commuters, families and freight operators.
The state election is due on 28 November 2026.
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