Gerald Lynch
Commuters in Melbourne’s west are set for delays on their commutes are works ramp up as part of the West Gate Tunnel project.
The next stage of works which will widen the West Gate Freeway from eight to 12 lanes get underway in preparation for the tunnel opening in 2025 will occur in the coming months.
Works will start on January 10 and conclude in March, delivering new road surfaces along the West Gate 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, while other lanes and ramps will be closed until early March.
From mid-February to early March, motorists heading outbound on the West Gate Freeway to Geelong or Ballarat will experience lane changes.
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.
The second stage of works on the Wurundjeri Way city bypass are also set to begin – with Wurundjeri Way to be closed between Dudley Street and Bourke Street from January 12 to early March.
Delays of up to 20 minutes are expected.
There will also be lane and road closures on Footscray Road to strengthen and widen the bridge over Moonee Ponds Creek.
Transport Infrastructure Minister Danny Pearson said once completed the works would take 9000 trucks a day off local roads.
“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.”
Details: bigbuild.vic.gov.au/westgate.
