The Victorian Government has announced two more truck bans will be in place in Melbourne’s west following the completion of the West Gate Tunnel.
Building the project will allow the State Government to ban trucks day and night on Blackshaws Road in Altona North and Hudsons Road in Spotswood.
Bans will apply 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on Hudsons Road between Booker Street and Melbourne Road, and along the full length of Blackshaws Road from Melbourne Road to Grieve Parade when the West Gate Tunnel opens in 2022.
Minister for Roads, Luke Donnellan, said, “This is a win for the whole community – quieter, safer streets for the inner west and cheaper, more efficient port access for the transport industry.
“By providing a dedicated route to the port, the West Gate Tunnel project will take thousands of trucks off local roads in the inner west. Without the tunnel there can be no truck bans.”
The move follows the four 24/7 truck bans announced in early 2017 for Francis Street and Somerville Road in Yarraville, and Buckley and Moore streets in Footscray.
The new bans will take up to 5,000 trucks per day off local streets, adding to the more than 9,000 removed by the bans already announced.
The announcement responds directly to issues raised through community consultation.
The Victorian Government will also provide further incentives for the transport and logistics industry to use the West Gate Tunnel.
To improve freight productivity and reduce costs, the State Government will require the tunnel operator to set discounted shuttle rates and cap maximum daily tolls for trucks making multiple trips through the tunnel, as well as night time discounts.
Shuttle rates, trip capping, night time discounts and truck bans will provide incentives for industry to use the new, faster, more efficient route for trucks travelling to the Port of Melbourne.
The project will directly link the West Gate Freeway to the port with twin tunnels under Yarraville, which will save truck drivers time and money by avoiding 17 sets of traffic lights and reducing vehicle wear and tear.
Trucks with a local origin or destination in the area will be exempt from the truck bans.
