The long-awaited duplication of Craigieburn Road is a step closer after the state government announced it would begin developing a business case for the project.
The government has allocated $250,000 to start planning work on the upgrade.
The project will result in the arterial road being duplicated between Hanson Road and Aitken Boulevard.
The business case will examine the feasibility of upgrading the road from two lanes to four lanes to improve traffic flow as well as safety and connections for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.
Planners will also investigate the potential for dedicated bus and bicycle lanes and off-road shared paths along Craigieburn Road, and will examine the economic and social benefits of an upgrade. About 20,000 vehicles use Craigieburn Road daily. In the past five years, the road has been the site of 75 crashes.
Hume council chief executive Dominic Isola said Craigieburn Road was a “crucial” thoroughfare that helped residents travel to Craigieburn’s railway, police and fire stations sports facilities and Craigieburn Central shopping centre.
He said the council had identified the duplication as a priority project, with Craigieburn’s population expected to rise by about 50 per cent by 2036.
“The suburb is home to a huge number of young families who deserve to have adequate roads to travel to day-to-day activities such as school and sports,” Mr Isola said.
Yuroke MP Ros Spence has long lobbied for Craigieburn Road to be duplicated and has welcomed the government’s commitment to develop a business case for the project.
