Road announcements are progress, but Melbourne’s West needs projects delivered - Let’s Get It Done

Media Release - 8 September 2026

LeadWest has welcomed major road funding announcements for Melbourne’s West, saying they represent significant progress on priorities championed through its Let’s Get It Done campaign and long running advocacy for better transport infrastructure.

The announcements include a $550 million Victorian Government investment to upgrade the Western Freeway between Caroline Springs and Melton, alongside a $170 million Victorian Labor commitment to fix a section of Taylors Road, including its duplication between Kings Road and Kurung Drive in Delahey, if re-elected. 

Both projects form part of LeadWest’s advocacy priorities for the Outer Western Roads Package, which identifies critical investment needed to address congestion, improve safety and support the west’s rapid population growth.

The Western Freeway is a critical commuter, freight and regional connector that is already under significant pressure, with more than 86,000 vehicles using the corridor each day. This is comparable to traffic volumes on the Eastern Freeway and is forecast to grow to more than 110,000 vehicles per day by 2031. 

This announcement builds on the Australian Government’s existing $1 billion commitment to the corridor. The announced works include additional lanes, upgrades to the Ferris Road, Leakes Road and Hopkins Road interchanges, and a new half interchange at Mount Cottrell Road. 

The proposed upgrades to sections of Taylors Road include extending the existing four-lane section of Taylors Road into Delahey. Whilst LeadWest welcomes this critical investment, it represents only part of the solution. Additional funding is needed for the duplication of the remainder of Taylors Road to Leakes Road, and LeadWest is calling on all parties to commit to delivering the full upgrade. 

LeadWest Chair, Cr Susan Yengi said: 

“We are pleased to see governments responding to priorities that LeadWest has consistently championed through the ‘Let’s Get it Done’ campaign and the Outer Western Roads Package. 

“The Western Freeway and Taylors Road are already under significant pressure, with communities experiencing congestion and safety issues every day. Investment in these corridors cannot wait, and we urge all parties contesting the 2026 State Election to commit to funding these critical upgrades. 

“Melbourne’s west is growing rapidly and deserves infrastructure that keeps pace with that growth. The commitments announced are welcome, but the priority now is turning commitments into completed projects. Let’s get it done.”