The Allan Labor Government's West Gate Tunnel Project has reached a major milestone - with cars now able to drive the full length of the new twin tunnels.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson today drove the entire length of the four-kilometre outbound tunnel for the first time.
Some 31 cross passages linking the twin tunnels together are also complete - allowing a 200 strong crew of tunnel workers to ramp up finishing works on the West Gate Tunnel.
Situated at 120 metre intervals, these smaller tunnels will improve motorist safety and provide evacuation routes in the event of an emergency.
Work is also progressing to install more than 10,000 architectural panels on the walls of the tunnels, with more than half of the panels already in place.
The next major stage of works inside the tunnels will begin early next year, with crews set to install lights, traffic management systems and asphalt on close to seven kilometres of the new underground roadway.
Above ground, construction is forging ahead on the landmark southern and northern portals - with the new timber net structures designed to reflect the heritage of the west and its connection with the local waterways.
Once complete in 2025, the twin three lane tunnels will take traffic underground from the West Gate Freeway to the Maribyrnong River and on to a new elevated road above Footscray Road.
The project will deliver a critically needed alternative to the West Gate Bridge - slashing travel times between Melbourne's west and the city by up to 20 minutes while also reducing congestion and providing safer and more reliable journeys. The West Gate Freeway will also be widened from eight to 12 lanes.
The tunnel will become a new alternative for trucks and the Labor Government will introduce 24-hour truck bans on local streets - to ensure that trucks use the freeway and to prevent rat runs. There will also be more than 14 kilometres of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths, and close to nine hectares of new parks and wetlands.
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"The West Gate Tunnel will slash travel times and change the way people get to and from the west."
"Liberals teamed up with Greens to vote against this huge project. They called it a dud. Soon, we'll call it delivered."
As stated by Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson
"We're delivering this city-shaping project next year and taking 9,000 trucks off local roads in the west."
As stated by Member for Footscray Katie Hall
"This project is going to get trucks out of our community, and we thank them for their patience while we get on with taking local roads back for local people."
