Melbourne’s West Gate Tunnel Project is nearing completion, as an extra lane on the M80 entry ramp begins construction to widen the West Gate Freeway from eight to 12 lanes.
Starting from 9pm 6 September, until 5am Monday, 23 September, crews will undertake asphalting and other construction works on the ramp from the M80 Ring Road to the West Gate Freeway citybound.
In October, the West Gate Freeway Williamstown Road citybound exit ramp will be closed until mid-November to install a new walking and cycling bridge over the top of the ramp.
A section of Footscray Road eastbound will be closed for most of October as crews edge closer to finishing the new 2.5 kilometre cycling super-highway above Footscray Road.
The West Gate Tunnel Project will deliver an alternative to the West Gate Bridge, removing 9000 trucks a day off local road by providing a second river crossing and creating 14 kilometres of new walking and cycling paths.
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Significant delays are expected, and drivers are advised to allow an extra 45 minutes travel time as motorists detour via Boundary Road, Little Boundary Road and Grieve Parade.
Alternatively, they can take a later detour by making a U-turn at Kororoit Creek Road along the Princes Freeway.
Danny Pearson Minister for Transport Infrastructure said widening the West Gate Freeway from eight to 12 through lanes is a key part of the West Gate Tunnel Project that will ease congestion and cut travel times for Victoria’s growing population.
“After this two-week ramp closure, an extra lane will open to traffic heading from the M80 Ring Road to the West Gate Freeway,” he said.