Work is about to get underway to widen the West Gate Freeway and build the citybound entrance for the West Gate Tunnel.
From today, drivers will notice changes on the West Gate Freeway as workers establish a construction site that will allow the citybound tunnel entrance to be built without closing lanes on the freeway during peak times.
Workers are installing traffic barriers and changing line markings to prepare for moving the inbound exit ramp at Williamstown Road further north, to make space for the entrance.
As part of the West Gate Tunnel Project, the West Gate Freeway will be widened from eight to 12 lanes between Williamstown Road and the M80 Ring Road, to make travel smoother and safer.
From March, more traffic barriers will be progressively rolled out as freeway widening works start around the Williamstown Road interchange.
Widening works will gradually move west towards the M80 Ring Road between 2018 and 2022.
To keep traffic moving, all lanes will be open during peak periods while works are carried out.
During peak construction, up to 500 workers will be working on the West Gate Freeway section of the project alone.
The West Gate Freeway is the second major West Gate Tunnel Project site to be established in recent weeks, with works already underway at the northern tunnel portal site in Footscray.
Two West Gate Tunnel portals will be built in the West Gate Freeway to provide drivers with a vital alternative to the West Gate Bridge - an entry portal near Williamstown Road and an exit portal in Altona North near the freight rail line.
Quotes attributable to Minster for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan
“This is another milestone in this huge project, which will slash travel times, get trucks of local roads and create thousands of jobs.”
“As part of the West Gate Tunnel project we’re widening the West Gate Freeway from eight to 12 lanes – and we’ll be doing it without peak hour lane closures.”
“While the Liberals and the Greens waste time, we’re getting it done - building this urgently needed alternative to the West Gate Bridge.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020