Calls for the state government to fix the traffic congestion at Sunbury Road are ramping up.
The pressure comes after funds to duplicate part of the road, between Powlett Street and Bulla-Diggers Rest Road, were allocated in last week’s state budget.
Stakeholders in the Sunbury community say duplicating the road near Sunbury will only create “an upgrade to a bottleneck” at Bulla.
Hume councillor Jack Medcraft, who has been advocating for improvements on the road for five years, said while he was “very happy” about investment in the road, the upgrade would be pointless on its own.
“We’ll take anything we can get,” Cr Medcraft said.
But he said duplicating the road was “not going to solve anything” if another bridge was not built alongside Bulla Bridge, which only has two lanes crossing Deep Creek.
“It will create a massive build-up of traffic to go down a hill.”
Residents have similarly taken to Facebook to complain that congestion will remain at Bulla.
“Four lanes will still become two over the bridge at Bulla,” one resident posted on Facebook.
“It is an upgrade to a bottleneck,” said another.
Western Metropolitan MP Bernie Finn last week in Parliament asked the government to review its decision and instead duplicate Sunbury Road between Bulla and the Tullamarine Freeway.
He pointed out that sections of Sunbury Road, between Powlett Street and Bulla-Diggers Rest Road – where the government has announced future duplication – are already duplicated.
Hume mayor Geoff Porter said the council was “rapt with the delivery of the widening of Sunbury Road” but would continue to push for the duplication of Bulla Bridge and Sunbury Road between Bulla-Diggers Rest Road and Melbourne Airport in the lead-up to the state election.
Sunbury MP Josh Bull said the planned duplication of Sunbury Road was important for achieving the best outcome.
“I am thrilled after many calls for action Sunbury Road will be duplicated,” Mr Bull said.
He said he would continue to advocate for future projects on the road.
