Labor Senator for Victoria, Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah, has become the latest federal figure to lend her support to the West Gate Tunnel Project, visiting the site this week and describing the scale of works as “seriously impressive.”
Posting figures that haven’t previously been widely quoted, Dr Ananda-Rajah said the tunnel would take 28,000 cars off the West Gate Bridge and divert 9,000 trucks from inner-west residential streets. She framed the upcoming opening as a major shift for commuters and freight operators alike, citing quicker trips to the city and direct port access as key outcomes. “It’s been a massive project but the finish line is in sight,” she said.
Her visit follows a similar inspection by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan earlier this month, who marked the completion of the project’s distinctive timber-net structures. These curved designs sit above the tunnel exits and house lighting and ventilation systems that will help manage both safety and aesthetics for drivers emerging onto the freeway.
Work on the $10.8 billion project is now concentrated on finishing ramps, barriers, surfacing, and safety testing. According to winter construction updates, lane reductions are currently in place on the West Gate Freeway between Millers Road and Williamstown Road, with more closures scheduled into August. Drivers are being advised to allow for an extra 30 minutes during peak periods.
Originally slated to open in 2022, the project ran into major delays due to PFAS-contaminated soil discovered during early tunnelling. Disputes over how and where to dispose of the material led to a shutdown that lasted much of 2020 and 2021. The cost jumped from an early estimate of $5.5 billion to nearly $12 billion, with a revised funding deal in 2021 requiring further state government contributions and private concessions from Transurban and the construction consortium.
The tunnel, comprising a 2.8 km eastbound section and a 4 km westbound counterpart, runs underneath Yarraville and connects the West Gate Freeway with CityLink and the Port of Melbourne. It aims to ease congestion on the West Gate Bridge, which currently carries over 200,000 vehicles per day.
Beyond traffic relief, the project includes new infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. A 2.5 km veloway along Footscray Road and upgraded shared-use paths are nearing completion, along with a walking and cycling bridge over Williamstown Road. Nearly nine hectares of green space improvements are also included in the final rollout.
Despite the recent progress, public sentiment remains split. Online criticism has focused on the three-year delay and $6.5 billion cost overrun. Some users on X have accused the government of lacking transparency, and opposition figures have repeatedly described the project as poorly managed. The Victorian Auditor-General previously flagged problems with the original business case, including the bundling of unrelated road upgrades to justify the spend.
Even so, many in the west appear ready to move forward. Mayul Shah, a resident of Altona Meadows, said he’s optimistic. “It looks brilliant. I’ve been waiting for this to open. Going via the West Gate is a nightmare. Delays happen, but I’m happy with the delivery.”
Construction crews are now working through the final stages. The tunnel’s safety features are undergoing testing, including incident response systems and traffic flow technology. Government sources say the project remains on track to open by the end of 2025, though no firm date has been given.
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