The West Gate Freeway lane additions are part of an infrastructure project intended to reduce congestion and travel time. Image: Victoria’s Big Build.
The Victorian Government will add more lanes to the West Gate Freeway in an effort to reduce commute times and congestion for citybound travellers from Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams announced that three inbound express lanes would open on the freeway next month, after works to resurface lanes and install new barriers. The express lanes will run inbound from the M80 Ring Road interchange to the West Gate Bridge.
The additions are part of the Labor Government’s West Gate Tunnel Project. They aim to reduce the impact of merging vehicles on traffic speed by separating the flow of vehicles in express lanes from congested entry and exit ramps off Millers Road, Grieve Parade and Williamstown Road inbound.
The West Gate Tunnel Project seeks to save commuters from the western suburbs of Melbourne 20 minutes on their drive to the city centre through express lanes and by offering an overall alternative to the West Gate Bridge.
“Every Victorian wants to spend less time stuck in traffic and more time with family, that’s why we’re delivering major road upgrades and the West Gate Tunnel – providing faster and safer journeys for decades to come,” Ms Williams said.
“The West Gate Tunnel will take 9000 trucks off local roads and slash commute times by at least 20 minutes for people living in Werribee. The Liberals teamed up with the Greens to try to block it; soon we’ll deliver it.”
Direct journeys from Williamstown Road to the M80 Ring Road and Princes Freeway will be provided by the addition of outbound express lanes later this year.
The government also announced that the freeway would be monitored using a new traffic management system to minimise delays and ensure safer, more efficient travel.
The management system will use electronic signs to alert drivers of diversions and lane closures after breakdowns and accidents.
The government also announced lane and ramp closures citybound on the West Gate Freeway from 15 February to early March due to the end of the first phase of major summer works.
The scheme also includes improved accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians through the upgrade and creation of 14 km of paths.
