Twin tunnels under Yarraville

An artist impression of the West Gate Tunnel southern portal at night

We’re building twin tunnels under Yarraville that will offer a vital alternative to the West Gate Bridge – removing over 9,000 trucks off inner west streets and giving drivers quicker trips to and from Melbourne’s west.

The twin tunnels will take traffic underground from the West Gate Freeway to the Maribyrnong River and on to an elevated road about Footscray Road.

Citybound direction

Cars and trucks will enter the tunnel via the West Gate Freeway just before Williamstown Road and exit near the Maribyrnong River in Yarraville.

Westbound direction

Drivers will enter the tunnel near the Maribyrnong River and exit at the West Gate Freeway just east of Millers Road.

Tunnelling on the West Gate Tunnel Project is now complete. The tunnels were built using two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) so that community and businesses could continue above ground while work happens below.

Stages of tunnel construction

Tunnelling

Two tunnel boring machines (TBMs), Bella and Vida bored underground with minimal impact to the community and businesses, to dig the tunnels.

In February 2023, TBM Vida broke through in Yarraville, completing a 2.8km journey that started on the west side of the Maribyrnong River under Yarraville and finished at Williamstown Road near the West Gate Freeway.

In May 2023, TBM Bella completed her 4km journey building the outbound tunnel finishing at the West Gate Freeway between Williamstown and Millers Road.

Building the tunnel portals

Crews are currently building the tunnel portals at each end that form the entrances and exits to the tunnels:

The citybound tunnel entrance is just west of Williamstown Road on West Gate Freeway.

The westbound tunnel exit is between Millers Road and Williamstown Rd on West Gate Freeway.

The citybound tunnel exit and westbound tunnel entrance share a portal near Yarraville Gardens, to the west of Maribyrnong River.

The start and end of each tunnel is still under construction and being built using the ‘cut and cover’ method. This involves excavating a trench then covering it with a concrete deck to form a roof. This is where the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) start and end their journey.

The Aboriginal culture and heritage of Melbourne’s west is reflected in the design of the tunnel portals, which has been inspired by the form of traditional nets and traps used to catch eels.

A map highlighting the scope of work on the project, including tunnel entry and exit portals, new walking and cycling paths, new lanes and city connections

The first stage was to install the concrete lining – forming the walls, roof and base of the tunnel. Behind each TBM, crews then worked to build the road surface and install electrics, ventilation and safety systems.

Although both TBMs have finished their journeys, works are still ongoing before the tunnels can be opened for use. Barriers are being built and electrical and mechanical fitout is progressing throughout both tunnels.

View the video to see how the final piece of the roof deck was put into place.

Heading to and from the city

The twin tunnels will link the West Gate Freeway to the new bridge across the Maribyrnong River allowing drivers to enjoy an uninterrupted and faster commute between the west and the city.

Travelling to the city

There will be three lanes on the West Gate Freeway that will get drivers through the tunnel entrance and emerge at Yarraville. They can then travel onwards across a new bridge over the Maribyrnong River, and then onto the new elevated road above Footscray Road. From Footscray Road, drivers will have options to get off the road via new road connections to:

Footscray Road,
CityLink to Melbourne Airport and the northern suburbs
Dynon Road and
Wurundjeri Way

Drivers can get onto these new Freeway lanes via the city-bound Western Ring Road (M80), Princes Freeway, Grieve Parade and Millers Road.

Travelling from the City

Drivers can enter the tunnel entrance near Yarraville Gardens to travel westbound from the new city connection ramps. These ramps can be accessed via CityLink, Footscray Rd, Dynon Road, Wurundjeri Way, where drivers will then get onto the elevated road above Footscray Road, cross the river via a bridge over the Maribyrnong River and then into the tunnel entrance.

After emerging from the tunnel exit, drivers can have the option of getting to the western suburbs via Millers Road, Grieve Parade, or onwards to Geelong and Ballarat at the M80 interchange.

Twin tunnels under Yarraville between the West Gate Freeway and the Maribyrnong River.
A 4km-long outbound tunnel and 2.8km-long citybound tunnel.
Ventilation structures at each tunnel exit to remove air from inside the tunnels.
Freeway Management System to support good traffic flow and safety.
The Aboriginal culture and heritage of Melbourne’s west is reflected in the design of the tunnel portals, which has been inspired by the form of traditional nets and traps used to catch eels.

Tunnel safety will be an important feature for the smooth operation of the tunnel, including automatic detection for over-height trucks, fire systems and emergency access and exits.

The West Gate Tunnel Project’s tunnel ventilation system has been designed according to stringent air quality standards to protect the health of communities and drivers using the tunnels.

Road tunnels can help reduce air pollution by moving traffic off roads where people live and work, putting vehicles underground. In a tunnel, vehicle emissions can be controlled and dispersed more effectively and are monitored to ensure EPA Victoria standards are met.

Learn more about tunnel ventilation and air quality.

The West Gate Tunnel Project will be tolled to balance traffic across the freeway network and to help fund its construction and ongoing operation.

Cars, motorcycles, light commercial vehicles, heavy commercial and heavy productivity freight vehicles will be tolled when using the new twin tunnels. Find out more about tolls and tolling points.

There are 3 levels inside the tunnels - completed ventilation, road and maintenance decks. Crews are now busy building the safety cross passages, building the tunnel entrances, exits, and installing safety and other electrical systems. — There are 3 levels inside the tunnels - completed ventilation, road and maintenance decks.

Dismantling the TBMs: a closer look at one of the TBMs used to cut the tunnel.

A close up of TBM Vida's cutterhead as it broke through the headwall. — In February 2023, TBM Vida broke through and completed her 2.8km journey.

TBM Bella broke through and completed her 4km journey in May 2023.

Artist impression of West Gate Tunnel northern portal — West Gate Tunnel northern portal. Artist impression only - does not include detailed design.

Artist impression of the southern inbound tunnel. — Southern inbound tunnel. Artist impression only - does not include detailed design.

Further information

Diverting a 100-year-old sewer

As part of the project, a 600m section of the North Yarra Main Sewer under Whitehall Street was diverted so that we can build the tunnel.

The original North Yarra Main Sewer was 2.6m in diameter, over 100 years old and made mostly of bricks. It’s a vital piece of infrastructure sits 13 to 15m below the ground and carries 20% of Melbourne’s sewage.

The sewer was diverted to protect it from tunnelling and prevent disruptions to sewer services across Melbourne’s north and west.

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