The commute to and from Ballarat's growing western suburbs will be made a breeze with the Victorian Liberals and Nationals committing to deliver the $278 million Ballarat Link Road project.
In the past five years alone, traffic has increased by 60 per cent and investment is urgently needed before Ballarat faces its own grid-lock.
Investing in the Link Road will drive Ballarat's economic growth by creating a north-south link in the city's biggest urban growth area, connecting the CBD with major regional highways.
As part of the Liberals and Nationals' Regional Infrastructure Guarantee, which assures 25 per cent of all new government capital investment is spent on infrastructure projects in regional Victoria, a Matt Guy Government will immediately get on with delivering the next stage of this important project with an allocation of $60 million over the next four years.
The completion of the next stage duplication of Dyson Drive between Remembrance Drive and Ballarat-Carngham Road will provide a continuous connection between the Western Freeway, Ballarat Airport, the Ballarat West Employment Zone and the Ballarat West Growth Area.
Not only will the link significantly improve travel times for residents and businesses, it will also make their commute safer by reducing congestion in the centre of Ballarat.
Trucks and heavy vehicles will also no longer be forced to drive through the centre of town en route to Melbourne and other major regional centres.
Connections to the Glenelg and Midland Highways will be completed in future terms, with the whole project set to transform Ballarat's transport infrastructure.
Leader of the Liberal Party, Matt Guy, said fixing and rebuilding regional roads would be a major priority.
"Instead of dropping the speed limit and putting up safety signs, a government I lead will actually build the roads that are needed," Mr Guy said.
"The need for the Ballarat Link Road has been clear for some time, and we'll get on and deliver it."
Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Matt Bach, said the Liberals and Nationals would work with the local community to identify the best solutions for all motorists.
"While Labor lets country roads crumble, we'll build new ones because regional Victorians deserve a safer drive too," Mr Bach said.
"Getting on with this important piece of infrastructure will deliver hundreds of local jobs during construction and beyond."
Member for Ripon, Louise Staley, said Dyson Drive wasn't up to standard, and desperately needed to be fixed.
"Lucas locals have been crying out for Dyson Drive to be duplicated. The Liberals have listened and will get on with building this road as a priority in government," Ms Staley said.
"Ballarat's west is growing so quickly, but Labor hasn't kept up with needed infrastructure. We'll fix that and get this vital link road built."
Liberal Candidate for Wendouree, Sam McIntosh, said the link road would take pressure off traffic in the CBD and outer suburbs.
"Nobody knows local roads better than those who drive on them every day, and we look forward to delivering this vitally important link road for all of Ballarat."
Liberal Candidate for Eureka, Paul Tatchell, said the link road would service a growing community for decades to come.
"I am proud to be part of Matt Guy's team that will deliver this desperately needed piece of local infrastructure, making commuting to and from the CBD a breeze."
