Eastlink - are you using it?

HA!!! There was something on ACA the other day about a woman who has to pay $16-$17 in tolls A DAY!!! That is ridiculous. You basically as working the first hour of your day just to get to and from work. I don't know what the solution is though.

I use Eastlink on an infrequent basis. Occasionally, I'll drive through the tunnels but most times I travel between the Cheltenham & Canterbury Rd exits.

All in all, I find travelling along Eastlink quick and easy. It certainly beats the stop & start motion along Springvale Rd (and Stud Rd). Although there are tolls at all entrances, the costs seem minimal and I would rather pay a toll for brand new infrastructure, rather than existing connecting infrastructure like parts of Melbourne's Citylink.

The artwork along Eastlink varies in aesthetics and I do get a chuckle at the painted sign visible from the road on the old police / army paddocks which state "FOR OFFENSIVE USE ONLY." I just wonder what undesirables are waiting to give you a rude gesture as you are travelling towards Dandenong!

Although I find Eastlink well constructed with minimal impact to the neighbourhood and, I do feel sorry for those residents living in Rolex Crt, Noble Park. They seem to have the Yarraman overpass literally above their backyards.

Finally, not being familiar with the area, does anyone know if Cyril St [also in Noble Park] had houses on both sides of the street? It appears that the residents have lost all their neighbours opposite them to make way for the Eastlink construction. Just interested that's all!!

Si.

Sibuttons, I use Eastlink alot when going to the Mornington Peninsula and always turn off at Thompsons Rd. I find the bankup when you hit Frankston can negate the time savings. Once Peninsula link is finished it will be amazing, 1 hour from the city to Rosebud.

Do you go as far as Frankston?

I used to when I had a job there but it was in the evening, past "peak" time therefore I didn't experience the bank-up. But I have heard from friends who use the Southern end of Eastlink and they too have mentioned the bottle neck during peak hours (as well as the Alexandra Pde going into the city).

I have also heard of two major bottle necks: the first (travelling south) as you finish Eastlink at the Frankston Fwy, then a little later when the end of the freeway merges with McMahons Rd.

Great minds think alike. I have suggested to my friends to get off at the Thompson Rd exit and turn left if you want the Carrum Downs/Cranbourne end of Frankston or turn right for the Seaford end of Frankston, via Nepean Hwy.

I too tend to exit at Thompson Rd if I am visiting the Mornington Peninsula, mainly to avoid an extra toll though.

And 'Yes!' the Peninsula Link will be amazing when it's completed.



Si.

Hi guys,

There's also a lot of chatter about Eastlink on this post over here.

http://www.streetadvisor.com.au/victoria/forums/eastlink---are-you-using-it2

I do agree with you Sibuttons1970, I would pay a little extra to use good infrastructure...not $17 though (per day). It's a tough one. Are there any plans to make the Eastern Freeway paid (from Springvale Road to the City)? I hope not as I use it everyday.

AJ

im a resident of the MP and i must say atm im travelling from MP to city everyday it takes me 50 mins and a hour to get home and rosebud is only 10 mins down the road, the only thing the peninsula link will be is to get the westernport side of the peninsula going cause the coastal towns like shitty old rosebud are overflowing and its getting too busy in off peak season i.e winter. the westernport side of the peninsula really needs to be advertised more this new freeway will do that and towns like tyabb somerville and hastings will get alot out of this and a huge house price rise when this freeway is done and dusted.

and to also break up the troublesome mooroduc/peninsula freeway which is causing so many traffic jams on weekends!

ESPICALLY ON SUNDAY ARVO'S ALL YOU BLOODY TOUROS OMG!!!! ITS DISGUSTING!

I use it frequently when the Monash Freeway is clogged up (especially peak hour and nights during bloody roadworks!) It takes under 15 minutes from the Monash exit to Doncaster Exit on Eastlink during Peak hour (8am)

Lets do the math based on 145,000 cars passing through Mullum tunnel at $2.90 per day.

(145k cars a day)x($2.90) = $420,500/day = $153 million per year.

Calculation made at time:
https://UniversalTimeLink.com/20213TYMLS-Calculation_of_Eastlinks_Doncaster_Tunnel_toll

Information used from:
https://chartingtransport.com/2012/03/03/traffic-volumes-on-australian-toll-roads/

Though it sounds like a lot of money, it isn't too bad. Running a toll operation and maintaining the roadway doesn't come for free. It is also a strictly 'user pays' scheme. Those choosing public transport, or who never use the tollway shouldn't have to pay.

However, toll roads are the decay of any city's economy. In many American cities, going out for a family day across and out of a city can become the major cost of the outing. Private operators will always gouge when they can. Clearly, major transport roads should NOT be handed to private enterprise. Since Road technology is basic engineering, our government should own all road infrastructure and keep it all Australian. Every road owned privately is permanent, and a permanent leakage of our economy overseas. STOP privatizing where possible!