Tom Ingleton
Drivers who braced the bottleneck on Mickleham Road can finally breathe a sigh of relief– well almost.
Labor has committed $250 million for the second stage of the Mickleham Road upgrade.
Stage one of the upgrade between Somerton Road and Dellamore Boulevard was completed earlier this year.
Planning and development works for the second stage of the upgrade -up to Craigieburn Road- are already underway.
Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King was on site to make the announcement, highlighting the urgent need for expansion.
“Coming here, I travelled along stage one–it’s a really great piece of road. You can see a lot of care and thought has gone into future-proofing, ensuring good drainage, great intersections, and clear signage,” Ms King said.
“But then you hit the next section, and suddenly it’s back to a narrow, unduplicated stretch with no wide shoulders, bringing safety concerns.”
The funding boost is a win for local commuters, many of whom use Mickleham Road daily.
Labor candidate for Calwell Basem Abdo said stage two of the uograde was “a long time coming.”
“Its a game changer for congestion, safety, and productivity,” he said.
McEwen MP Rob Mitchell also praised the investment, noting its impact on the region.
“I’ve travelled Mickleham Road for decades, and it needed to grow and expand,” Mr Mitchell said.
“Working closely with Basem and with the support of Catherine King, this upgrade ensures our community can travel freely.”
“With this investment, we now have a full pathway straight through, improving connectivity and ease of movement for locals.”
