Major traffic changes as West Gate Tunnel works ramp up

Department of Transport and Planning

Motorists travelling between the CBD and Melbourne’s west are warned of disruptions over the next few months, as West Gate Tunnel Project works reach another milestone.

Those heading to work or events should allow up to 30 minutes extra for their journey, and may consider using public transport, with trains at Southern Cross Station providing easy access to Marvel Stadium and connection with tram services.

West Gate Freeway

The first part of the final road surfacing works will take place, closing one lane in each direction of the West Gate Freeway between Millers Road and M80 Ring Road from 9pm Wednesday, 10 January to 5am Monday, 4 March.

The outbound exit from the West Gate Freeway to the M80 Ring Road closes from 9pm Wednesday, 10 January to 7am Saturday, 20 January.

Motorists wishing to reach the M80 from the West Gate Freeway should exit early, using Grieve Parade, Geelong Road, Little Boundary and Boundary roads. Those who miss this early exit will face a 10km detour via the Princes Freeway and a u-turn at Kororoit Creek Road.

This will be followed by the closure of several freeway ramps at Grieve Parade and Millers Road for a three-week period, starting mid-February.

Works carried out during this time include the final resurfacing and asphalting, the installation of final freeway barriers, barrier painting, signage installation and final line marking.

The installation of 46 overhead gantries will also continue along the West Gate Freeway, M80 Ring Road and Princes Freeway during various overnight freeway closures over the coming months.

These works are planned during the summer holiday period when there are typically fewer vehicles on the road and when the weather is most favourable for asphalting.

Wurundjeri Way

Wurundjeri Way, Docklands will close between the Dudley Street and Bourke Street intersections from 8pm Friday, 12 January until 5am Monday, 4 March.

Detours include Spencer Street and Dudley Street or Dynon Road; or Bourke Street and Harbour Esplanade.

Freight and other heavy vehicles requiring access to and from the docks should detour via Lorimer Street, Todd Road, the West Gate Freeway and the Bolte Bridge to reach Footscray Road, with an appropriate permit for their vehicles size and journey.

Access to the Marvel Stadium car park will remain available from Wurundjeri Way south of the closure, via Flinders Street.

Works to be carried out during this time include underground and road widening works, and ongoing work on the new elevated road bridge.

The West Gate Tunnel Project will provide a vital alternative to the West Gate Bridge by building new tunnels with links to the port, CityLink and Melbourne’s CBD, while widening the West Gate Freeway from 8 to 12 through lanes will provide quicker and safer trips for the more than 200,000 drivers who use the freeway daily. Wurundjeri Way is being widened and extended to connect with Dynon Road, creating a city bypass and taking traffic off Spencer and King streets.

Real-time traffic conditions are available at traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au. The latest public transport information and network status is available at ptv.vic.gov.au or in the PTV mobile app.