Electrification of the Melton and Wyndham rail lines.
New train stations at Mt Atkinson and Thornhill Park.
Two more tracks to provide four tracks from Sunshine to Caroline Springs to allow for faster Geelong, Ballarat and Wyndham Vale V/Line services.
Works to commence concurrently with the Sunshine Station Sup Hub upgrade for services to be available from 2030 when Sunshine Station is completed.

Electrification of the Melton and Wyndham rail lines.
New train stations at Mt Atkinson and Thornhill Park.
Two more tracks to provide four tracks from Sunshine to Caroline Springs to allow for faster Geelong, Ballarat and Wyndham Vale V/Line services.
Works to commence concurrently with the Sunshine Station Sup Hub upgrade for services to be available from 2030 when Sunshine Station is completed.

Outer Western Roads Package

Why it matters

Several major arterial roads in Melbourne's outer west are in urgent need of upgrades to improve capacity, safety and traffic flow. Heavy congestion on these roads is causing significant delays and an above-average rate of crashes.

Our ask:

We are calling for the delivery of a combination of road widening, duplications and intersection upgrades on arterial roads in the western suburbs.

What LeadWest is advocating for

The delivery of a combination of road widening, duplications and intersection upgrades on arterial roads in the western suburbs – and arterial declaration where needed.
A strategic approach to the delivery of the major connecting arterial roads servicing major residential and freight traffic.
Delivery of Western Highway upgrade between Caroline Springs and Melton.

Arterial roads that need to be upgraded:

Hopkins Road
Palmers Road Corridor
Taylors Road

Supporting information and project detail:

Hopkins Road

Key upgrades

Western Highway interchange expansion and signalisation
Duplication between Western Highway and Boundary Road
New rail overpass
Pedestrian and cycling paths

Traffic impacts*

Current: 30,000 vehicles/day
2031 forecast: 51,000 vehicles/day
74,000 hours of travel time saved

*Source: Melton City Council, Advocacy Priorities 2026

Palmers Road Corridor

Scope

Arterial declaration and duplication between Western and Calder Freeways
Upgrades to Robinsons Road, Westwood Drive and Calder Park Drive
Full diamond interchange at Calder Freeway (already committed)
Pedestrian and cycling paths

Traffic impacts*

Current: 30,500 vehicles/day
2031 forecast: 38,500 vehicles/day
72,000 hours of travel time saved

*Source: Melton City Council, Advocacy Priorities 2026

Taylors Road

Scope

Arterial declaration and duplication west of Kings Road
Signalised intersections
Pedestrian and cycling paths

Traffic impacts*

The road is over capacity, carrying more vehicles than it can handle. For example, despite being designed for 1,800 vehicles per hour (900 each direction), it carries up to 1,970 vehicles per hour during weekday peaks, and 2,090 on Saturdays.
Duplicating the road will allow for up to 3,800 vehicles per hour and cut travel times by up to 11 minutes, meeting both current and future needs.

Economic benefit

Calculations suggest the economic benefit of these upgrades could be as high as
$3.7 million per year, or $111 million over 30 years.

*Source: Melton City Council, Advocacy Priorities 2026

Western Highway

Scope

Increased capacity, urbanisation and upgraded interchanges on the Western Highway including Bulmans, Ferris, Mt Cottrell, Paynes, Leakes, Hopkins, and Christies roads

Funding commitments

Federal Government: $1 billion to upgrade the Western Highway between Caroline Springs and Melton (March 2025)
The current funding commitment will not deliver all the improvements needed, including the interchanges. Further funding is sought from the Victorian Government to include interchanges, including at Ferris Road to service the Melton Hospital, and at Hopkins Road to service the employment precincts.

Traffic impacts*

Current: 86,000 VPD
2031 forecast: 110,000 VPD
343,000 hours of travel time saved

*Source: Melton City Council, Advocacy Priorities 2026

Outer Western Roads Package

Why it matters

Our ask:

What LeadWest is advocating for

Arterial roads that need to be upgraded:

Supporting information and project detail:

Hopkins Road

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