New bridges over the Maribyrnong River

We're building new bridges over the Maribyrnong River that will link the West Gate Tunnel to an elevated roadway above Footscray Road.

This vital second river crossing will end Melbourne's reliance on the West Gate Bridge by providing new links to the port, CityLink and the city, to and from Melbourne’s west for cars and trucks.

What we are building

A second river crossing over the Maribyrnong River to connect the tunnels with an elevated road at Footscray Road
Improved connections for trucks to the port by building ramps at MacKenzie Road and Appleton Dock Road for direct freeway access, which will mean less trucks on local inner west roads
Walking and cycling paths for quicker and safer cycling to the city.

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Past

Current

A view of the new bridge over the Maribyrnong River.

Understanding and using the new bridge over the Maribyrnong River and MacKenzie ramps

The new bridge across the Maribyrnong River will create a vital alternative to the West Gate Bridge, which is currently at capacity.

The bridge will link 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.

Drivers coming from Geelong, Ballarat and Melbourne’s west can get onto the West Gate Freeway from either the Princes Freeway, M80 Ring Road or Millers Road, through the tunnel entrance near Williamstown Rd and over the Maribyrnong River via the bridges.

They will then continue their journey via the elevated road above Footscray Road and onto the new city connections that will give them direct travel options to get to the city, the airport, and the northern suburbs.

The freight industry will also benefit from direct access from the West Gate Freeway to the Port of Melbourne’s West Swanston Dock via the new on and off MacKenzie ramps.

Innovative bridge construction methods are being used to build the Maribyrnong River bridges to ensure that we:

keep the river open to boats wherever possible
keep MacKenzie Road open for truck access to the port
meet all environmental requirements to protect the health of the river.

The bridges will continue to showcase Melbourne’s maritime history and rich Aboriginal heritage with net cladding reflecting the scales of eels and fish and a curved shape echoing that of an anchor rope.

A view of the Maribyrnong River looking north, from the west bank of the river during early works on the bridges. Marine piling operations were done from the barges.

Piling works seen from MacKenzie Road – new crossheads are set onto the piers that will help support the bridge and ramps that will sit on top

The new MacKenzie ramps under construction

Artist impression – new bridge over the Maribyrnong River, with the new MacKenzie Road ramps, with Shepherd Bridge in the foreground. — Artist impression – new bridge over the Maribyrnong River and the new MacKenzie Road ramps, with Shepherd Bridge in the foreground.

Artist impression - the eel net cladding on the Maribyrnong River Bridge.

What we are building

Understanding and using the new bridge over the Maribyrnong River and MacKenzie ramps

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