The Victorian Coalition has pledged $260 million to construct stage one of the Shepparton bypass should it win power at the state election on November 26.
The bypass has been in limbo since the mid-1990s and has become a political football in the past 10 years, with neither the Victorian nor successive federal governments releasing the business case for the project.
Stage one of the Shepparton bypass would go north from McLennan St, Mooroopna, along Excelsior Ave before crossing the Goulburn River and linking to Wanganui Rd, Shepparton, providing a second major riving crossing for the city.
Liberal leader Matthew Guy said the Coalition would “end this stalemate” with the $260 million pledge to get the ball rolling.
The money earmarked for stage one would still need additional federal funding.
“This is a project the community has been calling on for three decades and we are fed up with the level of inaction in recent years,” Mr Guy said.
“The Shepparton and Mooroopna communities need a real solution to get trucks and freight out of the city centre, and this will deliver that.
“Today’s funding will finally get this project under way and we hope it will bring the Federal Government to the table to get the bypass project back on track and deliver a real solution for the Shepparton community.”
Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh said regional areas deserved better investment.
“As the Shepparton and Mooroopna communities recover from the recent floods, it has become even more apparent how necessary a second river crossing is,” Mr Walsh said.
“Currently, the Watt Rd river crossing is unsuitable for large vehicles and becomes unusable during major flooding events, and we have seen the Peter Ross-Edwards Causeway close during the most recent flood event.”
Liberal candidate for Shepparton Cheryl Hammer said the project was important for reducing congestion in the growing Shepparton CBD.
“The Shepparton bypass project is needed to remove heavy vehicles from city streets, improving safety for motorists and pedestrians, and helps reduce congestion in our central business districts,” Ms Hammer said.
Nationals candidate for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe said Shepparton was tired of talk on the Shepparton bypass.
“Over the past 30 years the Shepparton population has boomed and it’s only going to continue; we need action on this now, not in another 30 years,” Ms O’Keeffe said.