12 January 2022
Building the new city connections to CityLink, Dynon and Footscray Roads
We’re building the West Gate Tunnel Project to create an alternative to the West Gate Bridge and take trucks off local roads. As part of the project, an elevated road above Footscray Road is being built to create a link between the new tunnel and the city.
Work is progressing well, and half of the new elevated road is now complete. We have been able to build it in the middle of Footscray Road while mostly keeping the road open for motorists.
Footscray Road disruptions
We now need to start building sections of the new road that go over the top of traffic lanes. This involves lifting around 400 pieces of concrete, weighing up to 100 tonnes each, over Footscray Road to create the new road deck. While this work is happening, cars and trucks can’t drive underneath. We have considered different ways of completing the work, and the safest and quickest way is to close Footscray Road in one direction at a time, for a total period of 6 months.
From 12 January to early April 2023: we’re due to close the eastbound/citybound lanes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on Footscray Road between Dock Link Road and Appleton Dock Road. Detours will be in place until we complete the work – use Dynon Road instead.
A launching gantry crane will move across the eastbound lanes over Footscray Road to lift concrete segments of the new road into place.
From April to mid-May: we’re due to close the westbound/outbound lanes 24/7 – more information about this closure, including a map showing the detour route, will be available closer to the time. The eastbound lanes will reopen to traffic and the launching gantry crane will switch sides to continue building the
westbound elevated structure.
Mid-May to June: we’re due to close the eastbound lanes again – more information about this closure will be available in Autumn 2023.
We’re also due to work at Shepherd Bridge on Footscray Road in early 2023, and we’ll provide more information on this work closer to the time. Once complete, the new elevated road will connect the new tunnels with CityLink, the port, Dynon Road, and provide better access to Wurundjeri Way.
View the map - download the notification.
We’ll keep you updated
To stay in touch and learn more about dates and times for closures, and changes in closure directions, email us at info@wgta.vic.gov.au to sign up for our weekly traffic email and electronic newsletter.
What to expect and when
| Impact | Date |
|---|---|
Footscray Road citybound lanes closed 24/7 between Dock Link Road and Appleton Dock Road from 8pm on 11 January. Detours will be in place (please see map overleaf).
Please plan ahead, follow the detour signs, and allow extra travel time. | Construction will take place 24/7 from 8pm 11 January until early April 2023 |
Footscray Road outbound lanes closed 24/7 between Dock Link Road and Appleton Dock Road. Detours will be in place – more information including a map wil be available closer to the time.
Please plan ahead, follow the detour signs, and allow extra travel time. | Early April to mid-May 2023 |
Footscray Road citybound lanes closed 24/7 between Dock Link Road and Appleton Dock Road. Detours will be in place. Please plan ahead, follow the detour signs, and allow extra travel time. | Mid-May to June 2023 |
| 24/7 construction activity on Footscray Road, truck movements in the area and increased construction activity at our sites. | From 8pm 11 January 2023 and ongoing throughout 2023 |
| Local businesses in the area remain open and operating during these works. We will continue to engage with businesses that may be directly impacted by our works. | From 8pm 11 January through to early April 2023 |
| There will be impacts to bus services 220 Sunshine to Gardenvale and Nightrider services 941 and 942 operating along Footscray Road. Check PTV updates for information on how this may impact your journey and how you can plan ahead. | From 11 January through to early April 2023 |
So that work can be completed as quickly as possible, construction will take place 24/7, requiring road, ramp and lane closures, which will be confirmed weekly through a weekly traffic email alert and via Victoria's Big Build Disruptions.
When driving through these areas, please follow traffic signs, check traffic media reports, and visit the Big Build website for the most up-to-date information.
Contact us for more information
If you would like to sign up to receive weekly traffic alert emails, please email us on info@wgta.vic.gov.au or call 1800 105 105. Alternatively, for the latest updates, dates of closures and detour route information, visit Victoria's Big Build Disruptions.
