The drive from Epping to Melbourne’s CBD is predicted to take one hour and 45 minutes by 2046 unless urgent action can address Victoria’s congestion problems, Infrastructure Victoria warns.
The independent advisory body said the commute currently takes about 60 minutes, but within 30 years, clogged roads will put Epping residents in traffic for an extra 45 minutes.
It is estimated that by 2046, the average speed during the morning peak will drop to 31 km/h, compared with 38km/h today.
The warning comes as Infrastructure Victoria releases a new report –
The Road Ahead – which outlines the need for a viable peak hour road users charge.
Chief executive Michel Masson said costing peak hour road use would help address congestion and manage demand, making travel times more reliable and cutting time spent on congested roads by up to a third.
He warned that Melbourne would be unable to build its way out of its congestion problems.
“No city can just build its way out of congestion,” Mr Masson said. “Experience shows that just building infrastructure attracts more users until it’s congested again, so we need to introduce demand management as part of the solution in tackling congestion.
Infrastructure Victoria predicts that congestion on Melbourne’s road will cost everyone an extra $1700 a year.
It says that by 2046, the western suburbs will be as congested as inner Melbourne is today, while the northern suburbs are projected to be even worse.
“Even with major investments in road and rail, such as the Western Ring Road upgrade and Melbourne Metro, most Victorians would continue to spend more time in traffic, wait longer for trains, trams and buses, and pay more for the things they need,” the report said.
Infrastructure Victoria has put forward four potential models for road pricing to replace current charges facing motorists, including fuel excise, registration fees and tolls. It is also seeking community feedback on its report.
