The Victorian Labor party claims it will get 5000 trucks per day off congested Melbourne roads with a $6 billion transport plan – if it wins next year’s state election.

The basic brief for the Opposition’s big road spend is to sell the Port of Melbourne, and use the money to fund the removal of the most dangerous level-crossings, new and upgraded free parking spots at train stations, add extra lanes on the West Gate Freeway, widen the Tullamarine Freeway and begin planning a Melbourne Metro rail tunnel.

The plan also includes the intention to install a new traffic control arrangement for Hoddle Street, using a derivative of this system, which is confusing to say the least.

Labor’s broad road plan has been slammed by Victorian Premier Denis Napthine, who called it “an absolute slap in the face to the people of the western suburbs,” claiming that his party’s East West Link plan is far superior.

Victorian Opposition leader Daniel Andrews says he listened to thousands of people over several years to form the plan from their very clear message.

“Over the past decade there have been almost 200 level crossing crashes, including many deaths. This has to stop,” he said.

“Victorians are sick of the chaos and congestion at our level crossings, and putting up with overcrowded and late trains and crumbling suburban and country roads.”

Forty of the crossings that a Labor Government would remove are from an RACV priority list of the most dangerous; ten more are yet to be announced.

The effort from all sides of Victorian politics to do something about Melbourne’s packed roads is seen to stem from the city’s 180 level-crossings.

The crossings endanger lives and slow the progress of all other traffic, including public buses and trams.

The Labor plan claims removing the crossings would allow trains to run exactly every ten minutes, eliminating the need for timetables.

More information is available from the official Labor party website