FAQs - Victoria’s Big Build

Victoria’s Big Build

The West Gate Tunnel Project is a city-shaping project that will deliver a vital alternative to the West Gate Bridge, provide quicker and safer journeys, and remove thousands of trucks off residential streets.

The West Gate Freeway will be widened and include express lanes between the M80 and the West Gate Bridge, reducing weaving and merging that leads to traffic congestion.

Twin tunnels connecting the West Gate Freeway to the Port of Melbourne and CityLink will take trucks off residential streets, providing a more efficient freight route.

A bridge over the Maribyrnong River, linking to an elevated road along Footscray Road, will get people to where they need to go in the CBD north.

State-of-the-art smart technology will be installed across the length of the project linking it to other freeway management systems across the city.

It will also add 14km of walking and cycling paths for a continuous journey from Werribee to the city.

Major construction started in 2018.

Find out more about how living and travelling in the west will improve on our Explore the project webpage.

The project will build twin tunnels under Yarraville between the West Gate Freeway and the Maribyrnong River. The southern portal, which is where citybound cars and trucks will enter the tunnel is just west of Williamstown Road. The southern portal where cars and trucks will exit the tunnel heading west, is near Millers Road. The 2 northern portals where vehicles will enter and exit are just south of Footscray Road on the west side of the Maribyrnong River.

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. TBM Bella completed her 4km journey shortly after in May 2023.

Crews will continue the important work of building the road deck and installing electrical, lighting and safety systems to prepare both tunnels for completion in 2025.

Above ground, work is now underway to construct the ventilation system at the outbound portal and prepare for the installation of the iconic eel net structure.

The project is supporting Australian businesses, investing in local and regional employment and creating 6000 jobs across Victoria.

There will be:

over 500 jobs for apprentices, trainees and graduates
400 jobs dedicated to residents of Melbourne’s west
more than 100 jobs for people affected by closures in the manufacturing industry
93% of goods and services and 92% of steel milled in Australia and New Zealand
training and practical experience for workers and students to boost skills and workforce capability.

Find out more about jobs on the West Gate Tunnel Project.

The West Gate Tunnel Project has undergone an extensive and robust planning assessment process, including through an Environment Effects Statement (EES).

Key approvals are in place and construction began in early 2018. Read more about planning approvals.

Construction began in early 2018. See what’s happening at the 3 construction precincts:

upgrading and widening the West Gate Freeway from 8 to 12 through lanes
new express lanes between the M80 Ring Road and the West Gate Bridge will reduce weaving and merging that leads to traffic congestion.
twin tunnels from the West Gate Freeway to the Maribyrnong River, taking motorists and trucks underground and off residential streets
a new bridge over the Maribyrnong River and an elevated road above Footscray Road will provide direct links to the Port of Melbourne, CityLink, Dynon Road and an extended Wurundjeri Way.

Building the massive West Gate Tunnel Project will cause some unavoidable transport disruption for several years. View upcoming travel disruptions and plan ahead.

Work is progressing on widening the West Gate Freeway and building the city connections. Find out more about what we are building on our Explore the Project webpage.

Tunnelling is now complete and it is anticipated the West Gate Tunnel Project will be completed by the end of 2025

Throughout the project’s two-year development period, we consulted community members, councils and industry and listened to different views, concerns and ideas. Community members and stakeholders made 504 submissions on the Environment Effects Statement. Submissions were considered by the Inquiry and Advisory Committee, who listened and reported on many different views. This resulted in some real improvements to the design and specific environmental requirements.

To address public feedback, major changes to the project have included:

moving the westbound tunnel exit further away from houses
better protection of existing open space
more noise walls along the West Gate Freeway
9 hectares of new public open space
over 14km of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths.

Community consultation is ongoing during as we build the West Gate Tunnel Project. In addition to Community Liaison Groups and a 24-hour phone line on 1800 105 105, the project has an Information Centre in Yarraville that is open to all visitors.

You can find out more and stay up to date in many different ways:

The Victorian Government is partnering with Transurban to build the West Gate Tunnel Project. The contractors selected to build the West Gate Tunnel Project are a consortium headlined by CPB Contractors and John Holland. CPB Contractors and John Holland are construction leaders with a strong track record delivering tunnels and transport infrastructure.

The project did not require the compulsory acquisition of homes.

Where the tunnels are located beneath properties, the land underground was acquired by the Victorian Government. This is called ‘strata acquisition’ and it does not affect ownership of land at surface.

There were a limited number of commercial and industrial property acquisition along the project alignment. Where matters are still active, we continue to work with all affected businesses and land owners regarding the acquisition process.

All acquisitions are managed by the Victorian Government in accordance with the relevant legislation.

If you have any questions or would like more information with regards to land acquisition, our team is available 24 hours a day on 1800 105 105,or email us at info@wgta.vic.gov.au.

Finding contaminated soil is part and parcel of construction in industrial areas and we have strict safety measures in place to deal with it. To ensure any contaminated soil is managed safely for workers and the community, Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria and WorkSafe Victoria requirements will be met at every step of the way.

Soil excavated by the tunnel boring machines on the West Gate Tunnel Project is now being managed and disposed of at Hi-Quality's Bulla Spoils Facility.

Learn more about soil management.

You can stay up-to-date on what's happening by visiting our pages. You can also follow our Facebook page for consistent news and updates on the project.

With a new alternative for trucks, the Victorian Government will introduce 24 hour truck bans when the project opens to ensure that trucks use the freeway and to prevent rat runs through local streets. Read more about truck bans and curfews.

Road and ramp closures, as well as traffic switches and pedestrian impacts, will occur throughout the duration of the Project.

To keep up to date on all current disruptions, visit our Disruptions webpage.

You can also follow us on Twitter for daily updates on current travel disruptions and our Facebook page.

Yes, the tunnel, elevated road and new Hyde Street ramps will be tolled. More information can be found on our Tolls webpage.

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