More than one million trips have now been taken through the West Gate Tunnel since it opened on 14 December, as drivers and freight operators begin to shift to the new route across Melbourne’s inner west.
The Victorian Government says the early uptake shows the tunnel is already changing how people move between the west, the city and the Port of Melbourne, offering a clear alternative to the West Gate Bridge. Since opening, the tunnels have carried more than one million vehicles, with traffic volumes expected to keep rising as motorists and truck drivers grow familiar with the layout.
Heavy vehicles account for more than 20 per cent of trips so far, a shift that is easing pressure on residential streets. Suburbs including Footscray, Seddon, Yarraville, Spotswood and Altona North are seeing fewer trucks on local roads, as freight is directed underground instead of through neighbourhoods.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne said the tunnel was already delivering practical gains for freight and industry. “The West Gate Tunnel is already giving trucks a faster, more reliable route straight to the Port of Melbourne—cutting travel times, reducing costs and keeping Victoria’s supply chains moving.”
Local representatives say the change is being felt on the ground. Member for Footscray Katie Hall said the redirection of trucks was improving safety and liveability. “By directing trucks into the tunnel, we’re seeing local streets in the West freed up, safer neighbourhoods and a better experience for families, pedestrians and cyclists alike.”
“The West Gate Tunnel is already transforming the way people move through Melbourne’s west, providing new connections to the CBD, faster direct connections to and from the port while making deliveries more efficient and creating quieter local streets”
The project operator says the tunnel is reshaping travel patterns across the west. Transurban Group Executive of Operations David Clements said, “The West Gate Tunnel is already transforming the way people move through Melbourne’s west, providing new connections to the CBD, faster direct connections to and from the port while making deliveries more efficient and creating quieter local streets.”
He added, “This is a vital piece of infrastructure that is future-proofing our city for decades to come, built to support Melbourne’s growth and ensure a more reliable journey for everyone.”
As more drivers return to the road network, authorities are urging motorists to make lane choices early when heading citybound from the west, particularly on the M80 Ring Road or Princes Freeway. Drivers travelling to Docklands, the CBD or the northern suburbs are advised to use the left lanes into the tunnel, while those bound for the south-east should remain in the right express lanes towards the West Gate Bridge.
The tunnel also provides an alternative during incidents on the bridge, allowing drivers to exit at Wurundjeri Way and rejoin the freeway near CityLink’s Burnley Tunnel.
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