East West Link contracts signed in Vic

Victoria's Coalition Government has signed contracts with East West Connect to undertake Melbourne's highly controversial road infrastructure project

Melbourne's contentious East West Link project has moved a step closer to reality, with Victoria's Coalition Government recently signing contracts with the authority charged with the project's construction and operation, East West Connect.

If realised, the 6.6km East West Link will see twin 4.4km three-lane road tunnels constructed between the city's Eastern Freeway at Hoddle Street and the CityLink motorway at Parkville (pictured)

The Victorian Premier, Denis Napthine, said the project was a crucial component of the capital's future transport infrastructure.

"Across the nation people are sick to death of congestion, they are tired of the gridlock, and they expect their governments to do something about it," he said.

"That's why I was pleased to sign the contract that will deliver a much needed, congestion-busting infrastructure project."

Dr Napthine said the project would cost a total of $6.8 billion, of which the state government would contribute $2 billion, the Federal Government $1.5 billion, and the East West Connect consortium $3.3 billion. East West Connect will take responsibility for the project's construction and maintenance, along with its operation for 25 years.

The Coalition Government says East West Link will slash east-west road commute times across the city and reduce congestion in general, while the project itself would also create 3700 jobs.

East West Link is, however, facing plenty of opposition – from residents who currently live in and nearby the proposed construction zone, from local councils, from city residents who would prefer to see the money spent on better public transport, and from the Victorian Labor Party.

While a legal challenge by protester Tony Murphy was recently thrown out of the Victorian High Court, with under two months remaining before the next Victorian State Election the Labor Party has promised that, if elected, it would scrap the entire project.

It is believed any such termination could result in substantial 'kill fees' being paid to East West Connect, although the details of such a clause are yet to be revealed.

As such the East West Link has become a highly politicised issue which will feature prominently in both the Coalition's and the Opposition's election strategies. Recent polls have put the Daniel Andrews-led Labor Party marginally ahead of the Coalition on a two-party preferred basis.

If the project does indeed go ahead, construction will commence late this year and is expected to be completed by 2019.

East West Link contracts signed in Vic

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