MOTORISTS in the City of Casey were big winners in this year’s State Budget with $154.5 million allocated to upgrade Thompsons Road.
The injection will allow Thompsons Road to be widened to two lanes in each direction between Dandenong – Frankston Road and Evans Road, and between Narre Warren Cranbourne Road and Berwick-Cranbourne Road.
The project will also include replacing the existing roundabout at the Thompsons Road and Western Port Highway intersection with traffic lights, to reduce travel delays by 10 minutes.
Pedestrians will benefit too, with 10 kilometres of path to be constructed along Thompsons Road, with connections to public transport and local shops.
The budget also included $40 million to duplicate 1.2 kilometres of Hallam Road between Ormond Road and the South Gippsland Highway. The intersection of South Gippsland Highway, Hallam Road and Evans Road will receive a major upgrade, allowing Evans Road to be re-opened in its entirety, reconnecting Lyndhurst and Lynbrook.
Casey mayor Sam Aziz said the council was thrilled with the State Government’s announcement of almost $200 million to improve Casey’s roads.
“The council has been campaigning for improvements to Thompsons and Hallam roads for years. These important arterial road improvements will benefit residents and visitors travelling in and around our city, particularly those commuting to and from work.”
For those who travel by public transport, the budget included 50 extra parking spaces at Hallam Station and 110 extra spaces at Berwick.
The government will also spend a further $300,000 on removing graffiti from noise walls along the Monash Freeway between CityLink and Pakenham.
Casey Hospital patients will benefit from an elective surgery funding boost with a new high-acuity unit for severely ill patients as well as getting a share of a state-wide $335 million injection for elective surgeries and capital works over four years.
The government made a $50 million allocation to a special fund for building community facilities in Melbourne’s fastest-growing suburbs, including Casey. The money will be spent on community centres, parks and playgrounds. The Growing Suburbs Fund, previously known as the Interface Growth Fund, will build on the 34 projects already underway
Outer suburban libraries will also recieve a $22.2 million injection to upgrade and improve libraries. Councils and regional library services will receive funding for upgrades and new books under the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program (LLIP) and the Premiers’ Reading Challenge.
