The State Budget has recently announced a series of infrastructure measures that have been welcomed by the industry. The Victorian Transport Association (VTA) welcomed initiatives from Treasurer Tim Pallas aimed at helping freight operators deal with road user charges and tight margins.

Key measures include:

• $556m for Victoria’s regional road network, including $41m to upgrade 17 bridges on freight routes to handle high-productivity freight vehicles;

• a $1.45bn Regional Rail Revival package;

• $700m over four years to upgrade the M80 Ring Road;

• $556m for improvements to Victoria’s regional road network, including $41m to upgrade 17 bridges on freight routes to handle High-Productivity Freight Vehicles (HPFV’s);

• a $300m commitment to connect the Mornington Peninsula Freeway with the Dingley Bypass via a new Mordialloc Bypass;

• $100m to fund planning and pre-construction activities for the completion of the M80 Ring Road via the North East Link; and

• $58m in maintenance on the West Gate Bridge.

VTA chief executive Peter Anderson said the budget had almost $2bn for new construction and upgrades to Victoria’s roads, which was vital for the freight industry. “Road congestion and inadequate road and rail infrastructure remain the number one impediment to better productivity among freight operators,” Mr Anderson said. What The State Budget has proposed contains much hope for the industry and we look forward to these improvements in the future.