Traffic diversion

Almost all of Saturday, the traffic that normally goes down Dynon Road, came through the industrial park and down Childers Street. It was like this, pretty much all day.

Out with the old...

... and in with the new

Funding plea puts east-west tunnel back on agenda - Melbourne Leader

A BRUMBY Government submission to Canberra shows Spring St is actively pursuing a road tunnel from Kensington to Clifton Hill, residents claim.

The project was first mooted in the 2008 Eddington report, but community backlash forced the government to back away from any immediate plans when it released its $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan later that year.

However, a Spring St submission to the Federal Department of the Environment indicates the tunnel would follow the completion of the $3.5 billion Westlink project, which is expected to begin in 2013.

The submission was seeking the department’s permission to proceed with the project linking Western Ring Rd with Kensington via Sunshine Rd and a new tunnel under Footscray.

The document refers to Westlink as the “immediate priority” in a “three-stage” proposal to build an 18km link between Melbourne’s western suburbs and the Eastern Freeway in accordance with the Eddington Report.

The east-west tunnel was a cornerstone of Sir Rod Eddington’s report, titled Investing in Transport...

Read the rest here - http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/funding-plea-puts-east-west-tunnel-back-on-agenda/

The stream of angry residents converging on the suspected site
of where the tunnel would come out.

Work on the soccer pitch commences

Signs and fencing erected, for the works to commence.


What soccer pitch? Check out here.

Stage One of the BMX track refurbishment complete

Previously, we informed you of the City of Melbourne's intentions to raise the standard, and therefore the use of, the BMX track within JJ Holland Park.

This was to be done in two stages - first, reduce any safety issues the track currently has. Secondly, look at the viability of a redesign/repurpose.

It is pleasing to see that they've incorporated a number of the suggestions from the public meeting into their first stage - they've made the track safer, and incorporated feedback regarding the shape of jumps, and the diameter of berms.

Notice the compacted top, and the lip. (Unfortunately, this kid didn't see this as a feature. Thankfully, after I chastised him a few times, his dad came across from watching the footy and did the same).
Tighter radius turns - makes a speedy approach to jumps
Instead of mounds, there are now kickers.

Freeway not worth cost

More proof of how well the State Government does its sums with respect to their transport plan.

THE economic case for the Brumby government's top transport project is in tatters, with its own figures revealing benefits barely a third of its multibillion-dollar price tag.

The WestLink freeway, a six-lane road under Footscray and through Sunshine West, was estimated to cost $3.5 billion when the state asked Canberra to fund it in October 2008.

But a confidential submission to the Rudd government reveals estimated economic benefits that would flow from building the freeway of just $1.14 billion. This included travel-time savings of $700 million and a reduction in crash costs of $11 million.

Canberra knocked back funding despite Victoria declaring last year the freeway was its ''number one priority project'' for federal funding. The Age understands a core reason was the poor economic return on building the road.

The cost of the project has since blown out to $5 billion, although Roads Minister Tim Pallas is pressing ahead with the freeway despite not having the money to build it.

Read the whole article here - http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/freeway-not-worth-cost-20100520-vovs.html