Labor Pledges $550 Million Western Freeway Upgrade to Tackle Melbourne’s Growing Traffic Crisis

The Victorian Labor government has unveiled a $550 million commitment to upgrade Melbourne’s Western Freeway, aiming to ease worsening traffic congestion in the city’s rapidly expanding outer west ahead of the state election.

The funding package targets the heavily used section of the freeway between Melton and Caroline Springs, two of Victoria’s fastest-growing suburban areas. The new state investment comes on top of the $1 billion previously pledged by the Commonwealth Government, significantly boosting plans to improve one of Melbourne’s most important transport corridors.

Under the proposal, major upgrades will be carried out at the Ferris Road, Leakes Road and Hopkins Road interchanges, while a new half interchange will be constructed at Mount Cottrell Road to provide local motorists with direct freeway access and improve traffic flow.

Premier Ben Carroll said the project reflects the government’s focus on addressing everyday challenges faced by Victorian families, particularly long commuting times caused by traffic congestion.
“I said as a new premier my first task is to listen to what Victorians’ needs are,” Carroll said. He added that residents had made it clear they wanted a strong focus on essential infrastructure improvements that would reduce travel times and allow people to spend more time with their families.

As part of the upgrade, the Western Freeway will be widened to three lanes in each direction between Ferris Road and Hopkins Road, while the section between Hopkins Road and Ballarat Road will be expanded to four lanes in each direction.

Authorities also plan to improve traffic efficiency by establishing a 100 km/h speed limit along the entire Western Freeway corridor between Ferris Road and Ballarat Road once the upgrades are completed.

Carroll said preliminary planning for the project was already underway through federal funding commitments, with the Victorian government’s pledge representing a joint investment to accelerate delivery of the much-needed road improvements.

The announcement comes amid mounting concerns over congestion in Melbourne’s western suburbs, where population growth has increased pressure on road networks and intensified calls for major transport infrastructure upgrades.