Step 1: Copy the text to your clipboard Dear Minister King, I write to express my concern with the lack of regard by the Federal Government for one of Australia’s most dangerous roads, the Calder Freeway, and to call for a recommitment of government funding to deliver critical upgrades to improve safety and reduce congestion. The Calder Freeway is a road of national significance and strategic economic importance, providing the primary road connection from Melbourne to Bendigo and Mildura, including the Loddon Mallee agricultural region of Victoria. The Calder Freeway is also a major freight route, providing essential access from New South Wales and northern Victoria to domestic and export markets, including the key intermodal transport terminals at Melbourne Airport, the Port of Melbourne and the Port of Geelong. The unsafe and dangerous condition of the Calder Freeway featured in RACV’s 2023 My Melbourne Road Survey and the 2019 Infrastructure Australia Report, which found that the Calder Freeway was the 7th most congested road in Australia during the morning peak, and the 9th most congested in the afternoon peak, costing the economy over $100 million per annum. Alarmingly, during the period between 2015 to mid-2023, there were 198 crashes, of which 82 were classed as serious with over 100 injuries and five lives lost in the section between the Western Ring Road (M80) and Gap Road in Sunbury. I am extremely disappointed with the Federal Government’s decision to withdraw the $50 million promised by the previous government for safety improvements on the Calder Freeway. This funding was only a fraction of what is required and I call on the Federal Government to urgently undertake a thorough reassessment and recommit adequate funding to make the Calder Freeway safe. Copy to clipboard Step 2: Click the "Send email" button to open your default email service. Paste the text and add your name to the bottom of the email. It's ready for you to send. Send email Please read our Privacy Policy for further information about how we treat your details and the terms and conditions for online services. Last updated: 20 February 2024 - 6:04pm Print Share Top of the page