Westgate Tunnel - Project Update

West Gate Tunnel Project Update

Welcome to the West Gate Tunnel Project Update.

In this edition, read about our recent project milestones, catch up with us and plan for upcoming disruptions.

Project hits top gear with new path opening

We have opened a new off-road pedestrian and bike path along Dynon Road, making it easier to travel between the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail, over the rail yards, into the growing North Melbourne railway station precinct and onto the city. 

Spanning 440 metres across the rail lines and yards near North Melbourne Station, the new bridge separates cars and bikes, providing a dedicated path for the thousands of people that walk and ride along the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail and Dynon Road every week.

The new path gives bike riders from the west two key routes into the city - one via Footscray Road, offering direct access to Docklands and central Melbourne's broader cycling network, and another via Dynon Road, providing a convenient link to North Melbourne, Carlton, and nearby suburbs. 

It also provides a more direct and safer route for people to walk and ride safely across from North Melbourne to the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail and connect with the recently opened green bridge across Footscray Road, Waterfront Way and the future veloway.  

An elevated section of the path features vibrant multi-coloured panels – matching a similar colour palate on new barriers installed on the West Gate Freeway and the cladding on the Maribyrnong River Bridge.  

Progress on elevated Footscray Road reaches new heights

Final layer of asphalt and line marking have now been completed on the new elevated Footscray Road.

Measuring 1.5km long and up to 13 metres high, the six lane elevated road will provide a second river crossing for drivers entering and exiting the West Gate Tunnel, bypassing the West Gate Bridge.

It will also provide direct freight access to the Port of Melbourne via ramps at MacKenzie Road and Appleton Dock Road – removing trucks from local streets and improving freight efficiency.

To build the elevated road, more than 1,500 concrete segments – weighing a combined 107,000 tonnes – were manufactured in Benalla and lifted into place by a launch gantry that sat on support piers up to 30 metres high.

To read more about the elevated Footscray Road, click the button below.

Catch up with us 

Thank you to those who visited us recently at the Royal Melbourne Show.

It was great to have a chat with the attendees who were excited for the tunnel to open and eager to experience driving through it.

Next up, we will be heading out to Queensberry Cup (18 October), Melbourne Italian Festa (18-19 October), Melbourne Zoo (25 October – 9 November) and Ride Around the Bay (25-26 October).

Come and have a chat to us about the project and have your questions answered.

Upcoming disruptions

From 10pm, Friday 17 October to 5am, Monday 20 October, the West Gate Freeway will be reduced to two lanes, with closures of the Williamstown Road outbound entry ramp and the Millers Road outbound exit ramp. 

There will also be no access to Grieve Parade outbound exit ramp from the West Gate Freeway. 

Delays of up to 30 minutes are expected.

These closures are required to safely remove a large crane used for installing steel and cladding on the tunnel exit structure. 

Click the button below to visit our website for more information.