Major works will ramp up on some of Melbourne’s most important roads over the next two months as construction intensifies on transport projects that will transform the way people travel around Melbourne’s west.
Significant progress will be made on the West Gate Tunnel project, with around-the-clock reconstruction work to prepare for widening the West Gate Freeway from 8 to 12 through lanes.
The works include pavement and reconstruction on the Millers Road outbound on and off-ramps to the West Gate Freeway, the M80 Ring Road inbound ramp and Geelong Road outbound ramp to the Princes Freeway.
Crews will also deliver drainage and piling work for new entry and exit ramps, and place more barriers to safely separate traffic from construction work and allow continued work on widening the West Gate Freeway.
To enable this work, the city-bound ramp from the M80 Ring Road to the West Gate Freeway will be closed from Monday 13 January until the end of February, along with the ramp from Geelong Road to the Princes Freeway, Geelong bound.
Delays of up to 30 minutes are expected, detours will be in place and clearly identified by Variable Message Signs, which will also display real-time travel information during the work.
The Millers Road outbound exit and entry ramps on the West Gate Freeway will also be closed from the 13 January until mid-February.
In addition to the West Gate Tunnel works, intersection and road upgrades will be completed in Laverton, Kingsville, Truganina and Altona as part of the $1.8 billion Western Roads Upgrade.
The intersection at Dohertys and Fitzgerald road will be completely closed for the first three weeks in January, while the Queen Street bridge in Altona will be intermittently closured throughout January.
Electronic signage will advise residents of upcoming works and planned traffic changes in the area with local detour routes in place.
Motorists are also reminded that the annual West Gate Bridge maintenance will take place between Boxing Day and Tuesday 31 December, with three lanes closed inbound during the day and four lanes closed inbound at night.
For more information and specific dates for the planned disruptions over summer, visit . Real-time traffic conditions are available at or via the VicTraffic mobile app.
Quotes attributable to Acting Premier Jacinta Allan
“This summer, crews will be working around-the-clock to prepare for the widening of the West Gate Freeway to ease congestion on one of Melbourne’s busiest roads.”
“It will be disruptive, but we can’t build the West Gate Tunnel and deliver other vital road upgrades without these works.”
“I thank people in the west for their patience over the coming months and encourage them to plan ahead.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020