The West Gate Tunnel Project is entering into its final stages of works before it opens by the end of 2025. When the project is complete, drivers will be able to travel to and from the west to the city along the West Gate Freeway via two new tunnels under Yarraville, with new city connections to Footscray Road in Docklands, Dynon Road in West Melbourne or CityLink.
The upgraded M80 interchange, new Hyde Street and MacKenzie Road ramps will also cater for larger trucks and allow a more efficient movement of freight as well as taking trucks off local roads in the inner west.
As we gear up towards completing this city-shaping project, we’ll be kicking off a summer works campaign to carry out asphalting, line marking, barrier and sign installation and other works on key lanes and ramps along the West Gate Freeway. Crews will also continue building the citybound tunnel entry and outbound tunnel exit.
This is all part of widening the West Gate Freeway from 8 to 12 through lanes and building an alternative to the West Gate Bridge.
From 6 January until 8 March, major surfacing works will take place on the West Gate Freeway between Millers Road and the West Gate Bridge.
Tthe West Gate Freeway will also be reduced from four to three lanes – for crews to set up new traffic arrangements, progress works and pack up traffic arrangements.
- From 6 Jan to 17 Feb in the outbound direction
- From 6 Jan to 8 March in the citybound direction
Motorists should allow up to 30 mins extra travel time – please follow the signed detours.
Here’s a summary of the works our crew will be doing to get the project ready for opening and what motorists need to know about their commutes:
| West Gate Freeway Outbound direction | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dates | Works | What motorists need to do |
| 9pm Monday, 6 January - 5am, Monday 17 February 2025 |
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| 9pm Monday 6 January to April 2025 |
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| West Gate Freeway Citybound Direction | ||
| Dates | Works | What motorists need to do |
| 5am, Monday 6 Jan to 5am, Saturday 8 March 2025 |
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| 5am, Saturday 15 Feb to 5am, Saturday 8 March 2025 |
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Disruptions
Important information to note
Drivers should note that from 15 February to 8 March:
- With the outer citybound lanes of the West Gate Freeway closed and no access to the Freeway citybound entry ramps, motorists are advised to use Williamstown Road if you want to enter the freeway to use the West Gate Bridge.
- Drivers wishing to travel across the West Gate Bridge from the Princes Freeway and M80 Ring Road will need to follow signs to ensure they are in the righthand lanes. There will be no access to the bridge from outer lanes.
- Motorists who travel in the outer lane will need to exit the freeway at Millers Road as the Williamstown citybound exit ramp will also be closed until March 2025 for tunnel exit and entry works.
Gearing up towards completion by end 2025
The work will see the project take a significant step towards being open by the end of 2025.
Once summer works is wrapped up, the West Gate Freeway's citybound express lanes that’ll give motorists a clear run from the M80 to the West Gate Bridge will be complete, with new permanent barriers in place. The lanes to the West Gate Tunnel and Hyde Street ramps will remain closed until project completion.
Other works
VicRoads will be carrying out annual maintenance works on the West Gate Bridge between Thursday, 26 December and Saturday, 4 January – with three citybound lanes to be closed, leaving two lanes open.
Delays of up to 30 minutes are expected and motorists are encouraged to plan before they travel.
For an overview of all road and rail disruptions in the west, check before you travel at bigbuild.vic.gov.au/westworks
Plan ahead
We acknowledge construction works can be disruptive and thank the community for their patience. These works are scheduled to coincide with the start of the Victorian summer holidays when traffic volumes are lower, so that we can reduce the impact on road users.
Keep up to date with these changes by:
- following our social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and X
- contacting us at 1800 105 105 or emailing us at info@wgta.vic.gov.au
- planning your journey in advance via the Victoria's Big Build Disruptions Map.