By Rowan Forster
The Federal Government is targeting a $13 million widening project of McGregor Road – including the addition of new on and off ramps – and a $70 million grade separation of Bald Hill Road and Racecourse Road to complement the State Government’s proposed Skyrail.
Federal MP Jason Wood has signed off on a funding request for $83 million under the Urban Congestion Fund to streamline traffic flow at some of Pakenham’s worst pinch points.
The Minister for Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge, in charge of signing off on the project, is a former Pakenham local who has acknowledged the suburb’s lack of infrastructure development since he was a youth.
According to Cardinia Shire Council, both upgrades are a high priority for the region.
Mr Wood is confident the funding will be secured in the New Year.
“It’s an obvious need; there’s unbelievable traffic congestion at these spots and I have petitions going to prove the case with the Minister,” he said.
“The one advantage is that the Minister actually grew up in Pakenham, and things haven’t changed, as he told me, for a number of years.
“We don’t want to start things in five years; we want things to move quick and be shovel ready.”
Both projects were pledged by the State Opposition prior to 24 November’s election – but the Coalition failed to claim victory.
Traders have long expressed their grievances with the bustling Racecourse Road thoroughfare.
“I’ve got customers who won’t even come to us after three o’clock because they can’t get out of here,” branch manager of Tradelink Pakenham Trent Wilson said.
“They’ll ring for enquiries but they won’t drop in.”
Pakenham Pumps manager Paul Arnold added: “It only takes a hiccup either way and the whole thing’s a mess.”
It comes after Star News launched the Unblock the Gridlock campaign – a three month intensive campaign pressuring the government, both parties and candidates to address the region’s traffic woes.
During the campaign, Racecourse/Bald Hill intersection was flagged as Pakenham’s worst bottleneck.
The Skyrail, set to be completed by 2025, will alleviate congestion at the thoroughfare, but Mr Wood believes the grade separation and ramp upgrades are essential.
