The new Wurundjeri Way extension – providing a new direct link into Docklands and the Marvel Stadium precinct – opened to traffic at 6am on Monday, 27 October.
Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams, and Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne earlier checked out the new road, which is the first CBD bypass in a quarter of a century.
The bypass will ease congestion during major events in and around Docklands, providing another entry and exit point to the precinct and reducing bottlenecks on surrounding roads during peak periods. It will also add much-needed capacity to the road network, taking up to 5000 vehicles a day off some of the city’s busiest thoroughfares – including Spencer and King streets.
The West Gate Tunnel Project’s Wurundjeri Way extension becomes a crucial new inner-city connection that will allow traffic to flow more freely for the more than 73,000 people who work in Docklands and its 17,500 residents.
Once open, the West Gate Tunnel will deliver a vital alternative to the West Gate Bridge – providing a safer, more efficient second river crossing and removing more than 9000 trucks from local roads.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne said linking Wurundjeri Way to Dynon Road and CityLink will reduce CBD congestion and give Melbourne more ways to move in and out of Docklands.
Victorians can experience the new tunnel up close at the West Gate Tunnel Discovery Day on Sunday, 16 November – with tens of thousands expected to walk or run through the new tunnels before enjoying a family celebration at Yarraville Gardens.
Registrations are now open at westgatetunnelproject.vic.gov.au/discoveryday
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