Almost 10 years to the day since it was first approved, the West Gate Tunnel will finally open to traffic this weekend.
On 8 December 2025, the state government gave the go ahead to the project, then known as the Western Distributor, which had originally been proposed by toll road operator Transurban.
On Sunday 14 December 2025, after a decade of construction, delays, disruptions and cost blow-outs, the $10.2 billion tunnel under the Yarra River will open, giving motorists an alternative river crossing to the West Gate Bridge.
The state government also revealed the names of the project’s twin tunnels which were chosen by public vote.
The 4 kilometre outbound tunnel will be known as the Eureka Tunnel in reference to the workers uprising during the gold-rush, and the 2.8 kilometre inbound tunnel will be known as the Bundawahn Tunnel, meaning he-she dug in the language of the Bunurong people on whose land the tunnels are located.
As well as the twin tunnels, the project also includes 17 kilometres of new and upgraded roads between the inner-west and Docklands, including the elevated section above Footscray Road.
Premier Jacinta Allan hailed the new tunnel in announcing its opening date.
“With the West Gate Tunnel, you’ll save up to 20 minutes travelling between the city and Melbourne’s west,” Ms Allan said.
“If you don’t use it, it takes 28,000 cars off the West Gate Bridge so there’s less congestion on your drive.”
Roads Minister and Williamstown MP Melissa Horne said the new tunnel would also ease congestion and pollution in the inner west.
“With direct links to the Port of Melbourne and new No-Truck Zones protecting local streets, the West Gate Tunnel Makes communities safer, makes our economy more productive and saves everybody time,” Ms Horne said.
Footsray MP Katie Hall concurred.
“The West Gate Tunnel will take 9000 trucks off local roads every day,” Ms Hall said.
Local campaigners have questioned the environmental benefits of the project, arguing that vehicle emissions from the tunnel’s two ventilation stacks will still damage air quality because of the lack of air filters.
Car drivers will be charged $4.09 to use the tunnel, but $6.54 during peak periods.
