Gearing up for a big summer

From 9pm Monday 6 January 2025 through to March 2025, we'll be working on the West Gate Freeway to complete multiple construction activities between Millers Road and the West Gate Bridge.

These works will include final freeway lane and ramp asphalting, line marking, signage installation, barrier installation, electronic system works, barrier painting and bridge works. In order to safely complete these works, there will be multiple long-term lane and ramp closures along the West Gate Freeway.

These works will occur in multiple stages as they rely on works in different areas to be completed first. We’re taking advantage of the quieter roads during the summer months and the warmer weather which is needed to lay asphalt.

Thanks for you patience during these critical works.

Plan ahead by visiting bigbuild.vic.gov.au/disruptions.

When our work is finished, there will be:

• Stronger, smoother road surface
• New signs
• Express lanes citybound to the West Gate Bridge

Better connectivity for the west

A new 1km walking and cycling path along Kororoit Creek from Grieve Parade to Geelong Road is now open for use. The new path was opened to the public in November and was marked with a community celebration with walking and cycling activities and food trucks at GJ Hosken Reserve.

This path provides new connections to the Federation Trail, giving people more choices about how they move around. Native grasses, trees, ground covers and shrubs have also been planted to add vegetation and colour along Kororoit Creek and the walking and cycling path connecting to the Federation Trail.

Crews also recently completed resurfacing a 2.4km section of the Federation Trail between Little Boundary Road and Millers Road. The new, better-quality asphalt provides a smoother path for all users. Works started in October 2024 and the path re-opened in late November. These paths are part of the West Gate Tunnel Project’s delivery of more than 14km of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths – making it easier and safer for people Walking and to get around

Crews also recently completed resurfacing a 2.4km section of the Federation Trail between Little Boundary Road and Millers Road. The new, better-quality asphalt provides a smoother path for all users. Works started in October 2024 and the path re-opened in late November.

These paths are part of the West Gate Tunnel Project’s delivery of more than 14km of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths – making it easier and safer for people Walking and to get around.

New walking and cycling bridge – now open

The West Gate Tunnel Project recently opened the new walking and cycling bridge over the Moonee Ponds Creek at Footscray Road. This new walking and cycling bridge is part of the West Gate Tunnel Project delivering more than 14km of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths – making it easier and safer for people to get around.

Significant construction work has been undertaken while constructing the new walking and cycling bridge, including widening and strengthening the existing road bridge on Footscray Road, resurfacing surrounding roads, pavement upgrades and completing essential utility connections.

Construction will still be happening in this area for some time. This includes the installation of remaining segments of the veloway, installation of utilities, road resurfacing works on Footscray Road and interconnecting pathways to the walking and cycling cable-stay bridge over Footscray Road. To enable these future works, there may be some temporary disruptions to surrounding walking and cycling paths.

To stay up to date with the latest information and to plan ahead, visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au/disruptions

We hope you enjoy using this new walking and cycling bridge, with a safer and more convenient route for your daily commute and leisure activities.

Tunnel portals taking shape

Construction of the timber net feature at the citybound tunnel portal is complete. The structure stands 35m tall and reflects the Aboriginal culture and heritage of the west.

It has been inspired by the form of the nets and traps used to catch fish and eels – historically, important Indigenous food sources. We’ve also started applying the steel architectural feature at the westbound portal.

A splash of colour for Melbourne’s newest bridge

Construction of the brand-new shimmering and vibrant eel skin feature on the Maribyrnong River Bridge is well underway! The coloured cladding feature reflects the scales of eels and fish, and hints at Melbourne’s maritime history by appearing as an enormous, uncoiled anchor rope, with the curved form of the bridge also simulating the lateral movement of an eel.

Eels are traditional food for Aboriginal people and have been for thousands of years across Australia. Made from glass reinforced fibre, the eel skin panels will be fixed to a steel sub-frame on the side of the new Maribyrnong River Bridge.

In total, there’ll be around 1,200 panels of the eel skin cladding applied across the three Maribyrnong River Bridges. The new bridge across the Maribyrnong River will create a vital alternative to the West Gate Bridge, linking the twin tunnels, which are located on the western side of the river, with the new elevated road above Footscray Road allowing drivers to enjoy an uninterrupted and faster commute between the west and the city.

In addition, two smaller bridges over the Maribyrnong River will provide a direct entry and exit into the Port of Melbourne taking 9,000 trucks a day off local roads.

Out and about in the community

We’ve been out and about talking to the community about our extensive program of construction works over the coming summer period. The team at Queensberry Cup The team at Melbourne Boat Show In the last few months of the year we attended the Melbourne Royal Show, Melbourne International Boat Show and Queensberry Cup in North Melbourne, speaking to thousands of members of the community. In October we attended the Queensberry Cup for the first time and had a fantastic time at this unique inner north billy cart race and community celebration.

We extend a big thanks to everyone that has spoken to us throughout the year, whether that be our project Info Centre, the many events and festivals we attend or a simple pop up at your local petrol station. We’re taking a break over summer but will be back on the road in early 2025 at Footscray Lunar New Year celebrations in January and the Yarraville Festival in March.

New CityLink bridge feature lighting

Have you seen the big orange sticks appearing on Melbourne’s skyline? You’re not dreaming, that’s the new feature lighting on the bridge that connects CityLink to the elevated Footscray Road and tunnels.

In total, we are installing 132 undulating bright orange light poles on the bridge.

We’re sure you’ll agree, the orange light poles stand out amongst the surrounding urban landscape and create a striking new feature for the gateway to Melbourne’s west.

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