WHITTLESEA: More needed for Donnybrook Rd
The City of Whittlesea is calling for continued, long-term investment in Donnybrook Rd. The Council is warning that rapid population growth will significantly outpace the corridor’s current capacity despite the latest funding announcement from the Federal and State Governments.
“While we acknowledge the Stage 2 funding from the Federal and State Governments, it does not go far enough to address the real pressures on Donnybrook Rd, and it does not extend into the City of Whittlesea, where some of the fastest growth is occurring,” said Mayor Cr Lawrie Cox (pictured).
“While the funding will help access to the west and the freeway, we need to ensure that access for traffic travelling east to Epping Road is also provided for.
“Donnybrook Rd is already under significant strain, and demand will continue to grow rapidly.
“We urgently need a complete, coordinated upgrade of the full corridor so it can safely and efficiently support the communities that rely on it every day,” Cr Cox said.
The Council says works do not extend into the City of Whittlesea and fall short of the full upgrade required between the Hume Freeway and Merriang Rd by 2030.
Current and projected demand highlights the scale of the challenge. Donnybrook Rd was designed to handle around 20,000 trips per day. It now carries more than 37,000 trips daily, with volumes expected to approach 70,000 by 2030.