East West Tunnel Mess

[ARTZ]

so 340mil wasted on tunnel project..

who do we blame for this one..?

[Anfanee]

there isnt an option for artz, why the fk not?

[Leroy Peterson]

road is better than no road.

is it worth the money? probably would have farken wasted it anyway. would be surprised if that kind of money got promised to a new project in any infrastructure in melb.

(desal does not count as infrastructure because it helped no one)

[Cowboy1600]

The $18B can be much better spent elsewhere. Once the Business Case made light of day it became apparent the Libs had chained us to a dog. It would NEVER had paid for itself. They would have had to toll the Eastern, Westgate and possibly other roads to pay for it.

Better we cut our losses and get away from that dog of a policy than charge on and spend $18B (which would no doubt have blown out to $30B once all was said and done) on a piece of shit.

The blame falls SQUARELY on the previous government. They signed the contract heading into an election which they knew they were not going to win and knowing the ALP were not going to go ahead with the project. They also allowed clauses to be placed into the contract which ensured a massive payout should the contract be canned. They had no right, nor need, to sign the contracts pre-election.

I'd like to hear the rationale behind the person (to date) who said blame the current government.

[Adzmax]

Can you enlighten us as to how the $18B would be better spent? Just for shits and giggles?

[Leroy Peterson]

monorail.

[Leroy Peterson]

space program.

[Leroy Peterson]

moonee ponds to docklands tunnel.

[scotty nm35]

I want to know what happens if the westgate bridge falls down or gets damaged, Melbourne would be completely screwed. We need some other unimpeded path westside for future growth, stopping at 30 lights to get through the city is just stupid. I for one supported something get done about it, but here we are sticking our collective heads in the sand again.

[Count Grantleyish]

monorail.

[Birds]

Is there a chance the track could bend?

[Cowboy1600]

Not on your life, my Hindu friend.

[alr33x]

Where did 18billion come from?

[Cowboy1600]

Can you enlighten us as to how the $18B would be better spent? Just for shits and giggles?

Cars and motorbikes for me?

Outer Ring Road, finishing the Northern Road, extra lane at G'Boro end of NRR and also around Sunshine Ave and the Westgate turnoff, metro rail tunnel, level crossing removal, more trains and trams. I'm sure there are more things I could come up with.

[Cowboy1600]

Where did 18billion come from?

That's the total estimated cost. The $8B being advertised was just the proposed cost of Stage 1.

[alr33x]

It's going to happen sooner or later labor has just wasted the money they need a road solution more trains doesn't mean squat for a majority of the population. I have stepped foot on public transport In decade and no amount of money or convenience could entice me back to it

[alr33x]

For what it's worth it was labor who back flipped on the last lot of road tolling after promising not too.. Spose they'd figure half a billion for nothin is cheap compared to a billion dollar desal plant that's never been turned on

[ARTZ]

I want to know what happens if the westgate bridge falls down or gets damaged, Melbourne would be completely screwed. We need some other unimpeded path westside for future growth, stopping at 30 lights to get through the city is just stupid. I for one supported something get done about it, but here we are sticking our collective heads in the sand again.

lol yeah..

we need an 18million dollar tunnel so scotty can get to his tuner quicker.....

btw i would like a Frankston to Phillip Island tunnel, that raceday traffic is a bitch..

but really it would be Alot mroe cost effective if we could just mow down a bunch of historical landmarks and the melbounre zoo, and move the cemetery, its only full of dead people anyway and just plow a tunnel right through the guts,,I mean they didnt think twice about destroying Albert park for a racetrack that gets used once a year , whats the big deal here....

[ARTZ]

And just to get an idea of how much 18 billion is in comparison to the countrys road infrastructure budget...

This is the 7 year budget, btw not just 1 year

The Syndey harbour tunnel was built for just over half a billion ....

I don't care what anybody says 18,000,000,000 is just insanity.. If it is really that important to have this connection, just go over the top, or through the middle...It may be ugly but it will work and you can spend the money save on painting it pretty colours or putting up giant bird sculptures or some rubbish to hide its ugliness..An elevated road would also have the advantge of great city views despite the miserable people living in the shadows beneath...or better yet beuild more damn freeways to take people around the city, not everybody wants to drive through it....

Personally I don't care how ugly it is because I dont live there, and when i drove past i dont stop to look really...so why do my taxes have to pay for it.....I also dont want to be paying any more ridiculous tolls...it already costs me 20$ tolls to get home from the airport, do I save that in time or petrol...I doubt it , when it only takes me 20 minutes more to come down nepean hwy and with the money save I buy a little extra fuel and a 6 pack of beer..

So sorry melbourne but if this road is really THAT important...just go over the top, or plow through the middle.... I imagine it will cost maybe 10% of what this tunnel will...

relative link attached >>>

http://www.smh.com.au/business/if-you-thought-using-a-toll-road-was-costly-try-building-one-20140811-102i5o.html

Edited April 16, 2015 by ARTZ

[alr33x]

I googled and couldn't find a single credible source for $18 billion total cost plenty of estimates from all and sundry but not one direct reference to that amount as legit