A big summer of works will kick off from tonight (Monday 6 January) across the West Gate Freeway, as the West Gate Tunnel project nears completion, taking thousands of trucks off local roads later this year.
Crews will take advantage of Melbourne’s summer weather to asphalt the new freeway and continue construction on the tunnel exit structure, with lane and ramp closures set to occur between the West Gate Bridge and Millers Road from tonight until Saturday, 8 March.
From 9:00pm tonight until mid-February, the West Gate Freeway will be reduced to three lanes in both directions between Williamstown Road and Millers Road.
During this same period, there will also be ramp closures in place at the West Gate Freeway outbound exit ramps to Millers Road and Grieve Parade – drivers who usually exit the freeway at Millers Road or Grieve Parade will need to exit early at Williamstown Road.
From Saturday 15 February until Saturday 8 March, the West Gate Freeway inbound will be reduced from four lanes to three lanes between Millers Road and Williamstown Road.
The West Gate Freeway inbound entry ramps on Millers Road and Grieve Parade, along with the Williamstown Road exit ramp will also be closed.
During this period drivers travelling to the city are advised to use Williamstown Road to get on the freeway and to use the right lane to access the West Gate Bridge as there will be lane closures.
The summer blitz of work will deliver permanent road barriers, additional signage and smoother roads – along with new inbound express lanes that will run between the M80 Ring Road and the West Gate Bridge, making travel quicker and easier for motorists.
These works have been planned to take advantage of a quieter period on Melbourne’s roads, however delays of up to 30 minutes are expected, and drivers are advised to plan ahead and allow extra travel time – to learn more visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au.
The West Gate Tunnel Project is being undertaken to deliver an alternative to the West Gate Bridge, widening the West Gate Freeway from 8 to 12 lanes and taking 9,000 trucks a day off local roads.
