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Legal challenge to Australian road/tunnel connection

A legal challenge has been made to a key road and tunnel project in the Australian state of Victoria. The proposed East West link project is worth some US$5.63 billion in all. Local authorities are planning legal cases at the Supreme Court against the project, which includes a 4.4km stretch of tunnel. The package of works for the tunnel section is due to be signed in November 2014, with this link planned to open to traffic towards the end of 2019. It is not clear at this stage if the legal challenge will de
July 23, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
A legal challenge has been made to a key road and tunnel project in the Australian state of Victoria. The proposed East West link project is worth some US$5.63 billion in all. Local authorities are planning legal cases at the Supreme Court against the project, which includes a 4.4km stretch of tunnel. The package of works for the tunnel section is due to be signed in November 2014, with this link planned to open to traffic towards the end of 2019. It is not clear at this stage if the legal challenge will delay the project overall. However this court case could hold back the tender process for the project until after the state elections planned for November 2014. The cost of the legal challenges will likely be borne by the Moreland and Yarra City Council, making the challenge.

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