By Andrew Cantwell and Cam Lucadou-Wells
You’ve nominated roads in our congestion poll, you’ve voted and the results are close – the South Gippsland Highway is the worst congestion road in the City of Greater Dandenong.
But it’s by no means the only one, with the next worst congested, Heatherton Road and the Princes Highway receiving strong nominations, and Pound Road, Hallam Road and Abbotts Road receiving dishonourable mentions.
The poll result is the latest weapon in our campaign to highlight the state of congested South East roads in the lead-up to the State Election on 24 November.
Over the past few months we’ve asked you to share the frustrations of your daily commute, and to participate in the poll.
Gabrielle Williams, the incumbent candidate for the seat of Dandenong, said she had a strong track record on local road projects.
She listed the Abbotts Road level crossing removal, funding for the Remington Drive overpass and extension of Pound Road West in Dandenong South, as well as the widening of the Monash Freeway and fixing of a dangerous right-hand turn at Robinson Street-Princes Highway.
The South Gippsland Highway level crossing removal would be soon underway, she said.
A funded duplication of Hallam North Road betwen Heatherton Road and James Cook Drive also included replacing the roundabout at Heatherton Road with traffic lights.
” I will certainly be advocating for the priority projects identified by locals who use these roads each and every day,” Ms Williams said.
Afroz Ahmed, the Transport Matters Party’s Dandenong candidate, said a long-term infrastructure plan for “all aspects of transportation” was required.
This included efficient public transport corridors, interconnectivity betwen rail and bus services, and adjustable speed limits on freeways to minimise congestion.
Mr Ahmed said a vital part was decentralising Melbourne and developing a regional fast rail network.
“If we can develop a regional fast rail network that drives demand away from Melbourne … there will be less congestion as there are less people travelling in the CBD every day.”
Liberal candidate Virosh Perera and Greens candidate Rhonda Garad have been contacted for comment.
Write to us or let us know on Facebook and Twitter if you’re satisfied with the responses you read.
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Full responses by State Election candidates for Dandenong
GABRIELLE WILLIAMS, LABOR SITTING MP
I have a strong track record in advocating for local road projects, and delivering. Labor has removed the Abbotts Road level crossing in Dandenong South and funded the Remington Drive Overpass/extension of pound road west, which will have a significant impact on traffic flows into and out of Dandenong South. In addition to this, the removal of the South Gippsland Hwy level crossing will soon be underway.
Labor has funded the duplication of a 1.5-kilometre section of Hallam North Road (from two lanes to four lanes) between Heatherton Road and James Cook Drive to slash congestion for more than 18,000 vehicles that rely on this road each day. This upgrade will also replace the existing roundabout at Heatherton Road with traffic lights and install safety barriers.
Labor has completed stage one of the Monash widening, under budget and ahead of schedule. Stage two is funded, and underway.
When the community raised with me concerns about the dangerous right hand turn from Princes Hwy to Robinson st, I had it fixed.
We have achieved a lot in four years, but there is more to do. I will certainly be advocating for the priority projects identified by locals who use these roads each and every day.
AFROZ AHMED, TRANSPORT MATTERS PARTY
Transport Matters believe that as well as finishing off all the roadworks currently underway (particularly in the South East) a long-term infrastructure plan has to be developed that will incorporate all aspects of transportation: efficient and effective Public Transport Corridors; interconnectivity between rail and road (Bus) services; demand driven adjustable speed limits to minimise road congestion on freeways.
Another vital part of the solution of road congestion, and again, part of an overall development / infrastructure plan, is the decentralisation of Victoria’s cities – particularly Melbourne. If we can develop a regional fast rail network that drives demand away from Melbourne and into Regional areas, or cities within the Greater Melbourne Area (like Dandenong, Werribee etc) then there will be less congestion as there are less people travelling into the CBD every day.
RHONDA GARAD, GREENS
We acknowledge that traffic congestion in the Dandenong is getting worse, particularly during peak time along Heatherton Rd, South Gippsland Hwy and Princes Hwy.
Whilst the Greens will consider road upgrades, we also need a long-term vision that addresses the climate emergency we are experiencing and deliver policy that creates healthier communities.
The Greens approach is to strengthen the public transport system and to make it easier for people to leave their cars at home.
We will extend the Cranbourne line to Clyde, and roll out SmartBus routes throughout the southeast and increase service frequency on the Dandenong line. In addition, Dandenong North residents in particular will benefit from the Rowville Railway line plan.
