Mickleham Road is a key north-south road link in the Northern Growth Corridor. It connects established communities in southern Hume (Tullamarine) and Melbourne Airport, with the suburbs of Greenvale West and Craigieburn - two of the fastest growing communities in Australia.
Mickleham Road is currently duplicated between Melrose Drive, Tullamarine and Somerton Road, Greenvale and then reverts to a single carriageway. This single carriageway has not changed since the road was constructed to service what once was a rural community in the north of Melbourne.
New residential subdivisions are being established on both sides of Mickleham Road, which is placing pressure on this section of the road. Since 2015, there has been a 35 per cent increase in the number of vehicle trips along Mickleham Road north of Somerton Road, with motorists taking more than 28,000 trips along this section of the arterial road, battling congestion. This often brings the road to a standstill.
This impacts on the reliability of travel throughout the area and has the potential to impact the bottom line of businesses travelling along this route - an issue that will be magnified in coming years with new major businesses to be established in Mickleham.
Why is it important?
The growth taking place in Greenvale (population predicted to double by 2036) and Craigieburn (population predicted to increase by 50 per cent by 2036) is placing pressure on a number of key road links in Hume City’s Northern Growth Corridor.
Compounding this, inadequate public transport provision in Greenvale, Craigieburn West and Craigieburn North has led to an over-reliance on cars, with more than 72 per cent of Greenvale residents, 69 per cent of Craigieburn residents and more than 70 per cent of Roxburgh Park residents driving to work by car.
Ultimately, the time people spend in their cars on congested roads lessens the time they can spend with their family and friends.
Without duplication of Mickleham Road between Somerton Road and Craigieburn Road, congestion will worsen.
The support we need
The Victorian Government to provide funding to duplicate Mickleham Road between Somerton Road and Craigieburn Road.
What can you do? Help us advocate and be heard!