Victoria’s opposition has pledged $550 million towards widening the Western Freeway and upgrading key interchanges, promising faster and safer journeys for motorists travelling between Melton and Caroline Springs.
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson said a Liberal and Nationals government would deliver approximately 30 kilometres of additional freeway lanes, alongside an existing $1 billion Commonwealth commitment.
On 6 September, the state funding contribution announcement was made by the Labor government for the same major works, putting delivery of the upgrade at the centre of the political contest over infrastructure in Melbourne’s west.
Under the Coalition’s plan, the freeway would be widened to three lanes in each direction between Ferris Road and Hopkins Road, and four lanes in each direction between Hopkins Road and Ballarat Road.
Interchanges at Ferris Road, Leakes Road and Hopkins Road would be upgraded, while a new half-interchange at Mount Cottrell Road would provide a Ballarat-bound exit and a citybound entry.
The commitment also includes a consistent 100 km/h speed limit between Ferris Road and Ballarat Road.
Wilson said families in Melbourne’s growing western suburbs had waited too long for infrastructure to keep pace with demand.
“For too long, families across Melbourne’s west have been stuck in traffic while Labor has failed to deliver the infrastructure these growing communities deserve,” she said.
“Victorians can’t trust Labor to deliver these vital road upgrades, but we will.”
Wilson said the proposal would help tens of thousands of motorists who rely on the corridor.
“Tens of thousands of motorists in the west need and deserve less congestion, safer roads and a quicker commute and under our team’s plan, that’s exactly what they’ll get.”
The Coalition said its $550 million contribution would sit alongside Commonwealth funding, bringing the combined investment to $1.55 billion.
It said its contribution would be supported by a broader savings program exceeding $24.5 billion, including a hiring freeze on back-office public service positions. The announcement did not provide a detailed breakdown of the savings allocated to the freeway project.
Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure Evan Mulholland said the corridor was essential for commuters, businesses and freight operators.
“The Western Freeway is a vital connection for families, businesses and freight, yet congestion continues to worsen as Melbourne’s west grows,” he said.
“Our commitment to widen the freeway and upgrade key interchanges will deliver the road capacity and safer connections these communities desperately need.”
The Coalition linked the announcement to its broader $5 billion roads commitment, which it says would repair and rebuild roads, eliminate one million potholes and fund congestion-reducing upgrades across Victoria.
Labor’s September announcement outlined the freeway widening, interchange upgrades and Mount Cottrell Road ramps. At that time, the state and federal governments said pre-construction work was underway, including design development, site investigations and planning approvals.
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