The Victorian government says that the project will provide a vital alternative to the West Gate Bridge for the transport and freight industry
The Victorian government has announced that the next stage of works to widen the West Gate Freeway from eight to 12 lanes is underway in preparation for the tunnel opening in 2025.
Victorian transport infrastructure minister Danny Pearson says the West Gate Tunnel Project will provide a much-needed second river crossing while cutting congestion and taking 9,000 trucks a day off local roads.
Pearson says that works will begin on the West Gate Freeway from January 8 until early March to deliver new road surfaces along the freeway between Millers Road and the M80 Ring Road Interchange.
The outbound exit from the West Gate Freeway to the M80 Ring Road will close for nine days from January 10. Other lanes and ramps will be closed until early March in order to complete the works as safely and quickly as possible.
“As the West Gate Tunnel Project embarks on a busy summer of works, we encourage motorists to plan ahead and allow extra travel time,” Pearson says.
“The widening of the West Gate Freeway is a key part of the West Gate Tunnel Project that will help cut travel times between the west and the city by 20 minutes.”
From mid-February to early March, overhead and electronic signs will be in place to direct drivers to use the right lanes to travel to Geelong and the left lanes to travel to Ballarat.
There will also be occasional overnight closures on the West Gate and Princes Freeways between Kororoit Creek and Williamstown Roads until mid-2024 as crews install 46 massive steel overhead gantries.
The second stage of works on the Wurundjeri Way city bypass are also set to begin. The way will be closed between Dudley Street and Bourke Street from January 12 to early March.
During this time, workers will focus on drainage, road surface, pavements and the installation of safety technology. The Victorian government says delays of up to 20 minutes are expected.
Lanes along Footscray Road will also be closed to strengthen and widen the bridge over Moonee Ponds Creek.