The Victorian Transport Association (VTA) has welcomed an undertaking by Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, that a Labor Government would put the North East Link project out to market as early as Monday, should it be re-elected.

For years, the VTA has identified the North East Link as the priority road infrastructure project for Victoria.

In conjunction with the RACV, the VTA initiated a campaign in February 2016 for the much-needed project to create a seamless connection for freight operators travelling between the north and south east of Melbourne, and to reduce truck congestion on local roads in Melbourne’s north east.

Thanks to those efforts – backed by similar calls for the North East Link from resident and other groups – pre-construction works have been fast tracked, an alignment has been confirmed and, most significantly, both political parties have committed to build North East Link if elected.

VTA CEO, Peter Anderson, commended Daniel Andrews for bringing a sense of urgency to construction of the North East Link which, on completion, will ease congestion on the road network and increase productivity for freight operators.

“Putting the North East Link out to market is another important step in finally completing the Ring Road, and we welcome the commitment from the Premier to make this the first order of business of a re-elected Andrews Labor Government,” he said.

“The connection is vital for not only freight operators travelling between the Eastern Freeway and the Hume Freeway, but for the entire road network because it will ease congestion elsewhere and give commuters and transport companies alternatives that have previously been lacking.

“With the West Gate Tunnel under construction, significant regional road improvements underway and the North East Link about to happen, it is encouraging that Victoria is finally getting the road infrastructure we need to sustain our growing economy.”

Last month, the VTA welcomed a commitment by Andrews to remove an additional 25 level crossings across Melbourne, as a continuation of his government’s Level Crossing Removal program.

(Image: Victorian Transport Association CEO, Peter Anderson.)