06/09/2026
$550M WESTERN FREEWAY UPGRADE PLEDGED FOR MELTON
By: Editorial Team
Date: 6/9/2026
Melton motorists could be in line for major improvements to the Western Freeway, with Labor pledging $550 million to tackle congestion across Melbourne’s booming outer west.
The commitment would target the section of freeway between Melton and Caroline Springs, with the state funding to be delivered on top of $1 billion already promised by the Commonwealth Government ahead of the 2025 federal election.
Under the proposed upgrade, interchanges at Ferris Road, Leakes Road and Hopkins Road would be improved.
A new half interchange would also be built at Mount Cottrell Road, giving local motorists direct access to and from the Western Freeway.
Premier Ben Carroll said the project was about easing congestion and improving the daily commute for families across Melbourne’s west.
“They told me very clearly they wanted a relentless focus on the basics and there was nothing more important than getting our road infrastructure right,” Mr Carroll said.
The project would deliver about 30km of new lanes, with sections of the upgraded freeway carrying up to four lanes in each direction.
The speed limit would also be consistently set at 100km/h across the upgraded sections.
Mr Carroll said planning was already underway using the federal funding, with the latest pledge representing the Victorian Government “coming to the table as well”.
The announcement comes as Melton continues to experience rapid population growth and increasing pressure on its roads and public transport network.
Melton City Council has been pushing for major road upgrades and new railway stations ahead of the November state election, arguing existing infrastructure is struggling to keep up with the number of people moving into the region.
Council figures show the City of Melton’s population is growing by about 6.61 per cent each year — more than three times Melbourne’s average growth rate of about two per cent.
The council has previously warned major arterial roads across Melton are not suited to current traffic volumes, with many roads still featuring rural-standard infrastructure, unsealed shoulders, open drains and limited pedestrian and cycling facilities.
The Western Freeway upgrade is expected to form part of Labor’s broader transport pitch to voters across Melbourne’s rapidly growing west ahead of the election.
