A major rail project that would connect Melbourne’s west and north via a second metro tunnel is unlikely to be built for decades given the Allan government has prioritised the Suburban Rail Loop, transport experts say.
But is this really true?
The state could have proceeded with both rail projects but instead caved into a union and undertook an environmentally damaging project called North East Link now with a flawed business case and a $40b price tag.
Who actually asked for this congestion causing project? What other cities in the world are building such damaging and polluting toll roads such as this road?
No economic benefits can be found, more cars and trucks onto t he eastern freeway to cause even more congestion.
North East Link the road no one in Victoria wanted or asked for.
Comparing the two rail project and expecting only one a wrong approach to the problem. The comparison you are right should be between the most costly road project in the states history and a much needed rail project.
The MM2 project should be immediately started post the MM1 project.
I’m not the biggest fan of the NELink, but completing the ringroad is imo a worthwile project (The eastern freeway upgrade that apparently just must go with it is very silly).
The problem with the MM2, is that it’s essentially useless, it provides capacity precisely where it is least needed on the network and doesn’t provide new service to areas that need it. It’s only use was providing capacity for Doncaster rail, but Infrastructure Victoria assessed that to have a BCR of 0.2!
Also, why would the CFMEU object to MM2 but not NEL? The MM2 is larger in scope and would thus employ more workers and for longer! It doesn’t make any sense! As long as one project went along they’d be happy! In fact they’d probably be happier with MM2 if both can’t be done.
Thank you Chris
NELink is not a ring road completion it is designed to drive traffic into the DBC and take it off roads like rosana road. Completing the ring road would bulding between the end of Eastlink and the end of the metropolitan ring road at Ringwood or around that area. This should have been done not driving more traffic into the CBD when the council is blocking roads.