The West Gate Tunnel has opened to traffic, marking a major milestone for Melbourne’s transport network and reshaping how people and freight move through the city’s west.
The city-shaping project provides a new alternative to the West Gate Bridge, giving motorists and freight operators the option of using the tunnel or the bridge to cross the Yarra River. The opening is expected to significantly reduce congestion on the West Gate Freeway and surrounding arterial roads, while improving travel reliability across the western suburbs.
A key outcome of the project is the removal of around 9,000 trucks a day from local streets. From today, 24/7 no-truck zones have been introduced on several residential roads, alongside new truck curfews on Williamstown Road. These measures are designed to improve safety and reduce noise and congestion for local communities.
“This will change the way people travel across the west – giving commuters faster, safer and more reliable trips,” says Jacinta Allan, Victorian Premier.
For freight operators, the tunnel delivers direct in-and-out access to the Port of Melbourne via Mackenzie Road, Appleton Dock Road and Hyde Street. This connection allows trucks to bypass up to 17 sets of traffic lights, reducing travel times and improving freight efficiency between the port and Melbourne’s freight and logistics precincts.
Construction of the West Gate Tunnel Project involved more than 6,000 workers and recorded 62 million hours on site, including 1.8 million hours worked by trainees, apprentices and cadets.
The project also includes major upgrades for active transport in Melbourne’s west. The 2.5-kilometre elevated Dixon Veloway is now open, and final sections of the Federation Trail have been completed, delivering more than 14 kilometres of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths.
Premier Jacinta Allan says the project provides long-needed choice for travellers in the west, helping save time and improve daily journeys. Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne says the tunnel will deliver faster, safer and more reliable trips across the corridor.
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