State government welcomes cash boost, but still says no to East-West Link

The federal government has put the East-West Link back on the political agenda after unveiling plans to revamp Victoria’s road and rail system.

A $200 million plan to fix a notorious bottleneck on the Monash Freeway is among future projects slated by Environment Minister Greg Hunt today.

But also on the Flinders MP’s ambitious to-do list is the East-West Link, which is opposed by the state government.

‘We can’t build it alone,’ Mr Hunt conceded 3AW Breakfast.

‘But our message is very clear; you can not stop what will inevitably be necessary.’

Listen: Greg Hunt on 3AW Breakfast

Victorian Roads Minister Luke Donnellan told 3AW while they don’t support the East-West Link, it’s good to see the federal government consider pumping money into Victoria.

‘We’re very keen to increase the level of investment in Victoria from the federal government in infrastructure,’ he said.

‘It’s very low, well below the percentage Victoria represents to the economy.’

The planned Monash Freeway upgrade would include turning the emergency lanes into an extra traffic lane in each direction on the Hallam Bypass between the South Gippsland Freeway and Clyde Road

Other projects include supporting the Metro Rail project, building the East-West Link, undergrounding Melbourne’s metro train lines and relocating Melbourne’s container port to Hastings and Geelong.