West Gate Bridge Alternative
- Timeframe
- Medium term
- Cost
- More than $2.5 billion
Project description
The Government has identified a need for a second major river crossing to reduce the over reliance on the West Gate Bridge.
It is anticipated this crossing will take the form of a three kilometre road tunnel under Footscray and the Maribyrnong River.
The road tunnel would link Dynon/Footscray Roads in the Port precinct to Geelong/Sunshine Roads in West Footscray.
Detailed engineering investigations and community consultation will be undertaken before determining a final route alignment and design for the road connection.
This project has been submitted to the Commonwealth Government for funding consideration.
Project benefits
- The project will reduce pressure on the West Gate Bridge which currently carries around 160,000 vehicles per day with that number set to grow to more than 235,000 in 2036.
- With freight volumes expected to increase significantly in the next 20 years, the new road tunnel will improve connectivity to and from Australia’s largest container port – the Port of Melbourne.
- Together with the Victorian Government’s Truck Action Plan, the new road tunnel will significantly reduce the number of trucks using residential streets in Melbourne’s inner-west.