RESIDENTS are urging the state government to commit to the duplication of Melton Highway as concerns are raised about the future of vital roads projects in the area.
But the government says full consideration of the project could be two years away.
Motorists and MPs said continuing safety work along the deadly stretch of road between Melton and Sydenham was welcome, but duplication was needed to reduce risks associated with increased traffic.
More than 2000 people have signed a petition linked to resident Narelle Bowden's online campaign, launched after her nephew died on the highway in 2010.
VicRoads says it has no immediate plans to overhaul the road.
Regional director Nial Finegan has told the Weekly it was developing a proposal for safety improvements along 19 kilometres of the highway between Sunshine Avenue and the Western Freeway.
But Taylors Lakes resident Robert Pelly said Melton Highway was dangerous and needed to be duplicated immediately.
He said he and his wife were nearly killed while driving along the highway near Leakes Road in August.
"A car driving on the opposite side of the road veered towards us and smashed into the side of my car," Mr Pelly said.
"My wife was so shaken by the accident that she is afraid to drive or even be a passenger on Melton Highway again."
Melton MP Don Nardella said the highway upgrade was one of the most important infrastructure projects for the region.
The duplication project still had no funding or commitment from the government.
"Safety works are welcome, but the design work and the allocation of money [needs to be done]."
Last year, Mr Nardella said there had been 280 accidents on the highway since 1987. Thirteen people had died, including five in the 12 months to October.
He said the first stage of the upgrade should include improvements to the Kororoit Creek dip.
"It is the most dangerous section of the highway and needs a bridge built over it ... the personal tragedy, heartbreak and hell that people are going through are real."
Melton community radio host Wade Lester said bad driver behaviour needed to change, but "the simple fact is that duplication of the Melton Highway will save lives".
A spokeswoman for Transport Minister Terry Mulder said a metropolitan planning strategy would be prepared over the next two years to consider the impact of population growth and transport.
"Planning for further duplication of Melton Highway will be undertaken in this context."
The call came as it was revealed VicRoads could close its Caroline Springs project office as part of a review of its major projects program, leading to the loss or relocation of up to 50 jobs.
Keilor MP Natalie Hutchins claimed proposed north-west roads projects, like the Melton Highway duplication, could also be abandoned.
VicRoads' director of major projects, George Mavroyeni, said the continuation of project management services from the Caroline Springs office was "under review" as part of a broader reassessment.
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