Reid Sexton June 29, 2008 - 2:14PM Victorian Premier John Brumby...

Reid Sexton
June 29, 2008 - 2:14PM
Victorian Premier John Brumby has declared EastLink officially open but operators ConnectEast still cannot confirm what time tomorrow the road will be open to the public.

Managing director John Gardiner said the freeway would be open in stages between midnight and 8am tomorrow.

Speaking to an audience of VIPs which included local politicians and stakeholders, Mr Brumby said the road would transform Victoria.

"It's an investment in our future sustainability, future liveability and future productivity," he said.

The freeway is the largest single road project in Victorian history and is set to cut travel time between Frankston and Mitcham in half, according to the operators.

Tolls will be capped at $4.96 and ConnectEast chairman Tony Shepherd said this made it the cheapest private tollway in Australia.

He said drivers can use existing CityLink tags to travel on the new freeway in what was a "uniquely Australian phenomenon".

"Motorists can travel from one tollway to the other without making a fuss," he said.

"I can assure you I've seen a lot of roads but this is by far the best."