Western distributor still yet to win state government approval, but Transurban is tweaking its design all the same
Infrastructure developer Transurban has adjusted its plan for a new tolled road connecting Melbourne’s west with the city and port.
The company says it has taken comprehensive community feedback into consideration when altering the project plan, which has not yet won approval from the state government.
Transurban general manager for Victoria Vin Vassallo says the changes stem from community concern over the number of trucks currently accessing residential streets in Melbourne’s west.
“We have spoken directly with around 600 people and met with over 50 industry and state and local government organisations that have helped us make some important refinements to get more dangerous goods trucks carrying loads like fuel off local streets and provide an appropriate alternative to the West Gate Bridge,” he says.
“People told us loud and clear that they would like to see even more done to get trucks off local streets –and we’re confident that these changes deliver that.”
The updated design features a new connection direct from the existing West Gate Freeway to Hyde Street in Yarraville.
The planners are also hoping to increase the number of connections to the Port of Melbourne, including through upgrades of existing roads.
Vassallo says the company is further investigation options to address the issue of merging and weaving on the West Gate Freeway, including by separating tunnel and bridge traffic.
Community information sessions are planned for South Kingsville and Yarraville on October 8 and 10 respectively.