Bypass to deliver for Yarra Glen
Bryan Allchin
12May08
YARRA Glen residents have welcomed $9 million funding in the State Budget for the town's long awaited bypass.
Last Tuesday's budget announcement is on top of the $5.5 million in Federal Government funding and the $500,000 Yarra Ranges Shire has already committed to the project.
VicRoads began preliminary design work last month, and the project is set to begin next year.
Roads Minister Tim Pallas visited the town on Wednesday to inspect the proposed deviation around the town centre, and told Leader that the new road should be open in 2010.
"Over 9000 vehicles use the Melba Highway every day, almost 13 per cent of these vehicles are trucks," he said.
Seymour state Labor MP Ben Hardman said the bypass would attract tourists, help cut travel times and improve freight links.
"The project will deliver improved travel times and freight efficiency for commercial traffic that services Glenburn, Yea and even further," Mr Hardman said.
The 1.4km bypass has been welcomed by the community. Former chamber of commerce president Marjorie Woollands said the bypass should help the town attract tourists.
"With the trucks gone, it will allow people who want to stop in Yarra Glen stop here and enjoy everything the town has to offer," she said.
Mrs Woollands said plans existed for improvements that could be made after the bypass was built.
* School's budget win: Report Page 13
* To see Leader's past stories on this issue go to www.lilydaleyarravalley leader.com.au.
