VACC applauds West Gate Tunnel

The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce has lavished praise on the Victorian Government for its newly announced West Gate Tunnel Project, which promises much easier freight access to the Port of Melbourne from the city's west.

"The West Gate Tunnel Project is good news for productivity; it's good for the business sector and, ultimately, it's good for all Victorians," says VACC Executive Director, Geoff Gwilym.

"The West Gate Tunnel Project, and the development of heavy vehicle infrastructure, will become an important legacy for Victoria. The far sighted planning and consultation, which has already been conducted, and the soon-to-begin implementation will secure benefits for the state that will last for generations."

According to the VACC, truck operators will save significant time and money, with the new approach re-routing trucks around 17 sets and traffic lights on the existing route to the Port of Melbourne.

On completion, the new route to the port will shift heavy commercial vehicle traffic off congested arterial roads through the inner western suburbs, marking a win for residents in the communities of Yarraville, Seddon and Footscray.

Truck traffic along Francis Street in Yarraville has long been a sore point with local residents, who cite cancer, asthma and other respiratory diseases exacerbated by the diesel fumes. Noise pollution has been an issue too, with trucks subject to an after-hours curfew. Trucks will now be banned from the inner suburban arterial roads right around the clock.

"The West Gate Tunnel Project balances the interests of residents, the transport industry, and Victorian business particularly well," says Gwilym.

"VACC congratulates the Andrews Government on announcing this major project, which will deliver meaningful change to residents in Melbourne's inner west; Victorian motorists traveling through and around Melbourne; our vital heavy vehicle and freight sectors; and to business all over the state, with improved productivity, shorter travel times and more on-time deliveries."

The Andrews government says the project will create 6000 jobs and is expected to cut peak-hour travel time into the city by a significant margin.

Traffic will pass into the tunnel west of Williamstown Road and emerge near Whitehall Street for travel along Melbourne's second river crossing from the west – a bridge across the Maribyrnong River a stone's throw away from the docks. This bridge will lead to an elevated section of freeway that will cross Footscray Road and connect with the existing CityLink network.

In addition to the tunnel and river crossing, the project will see the interchange where the West Gate Freeway meets the Western Ring Road improved for freer traffic flow and the freeway will be widened to eight lanes along its length – including new express lanes for city commuters. At Altona North the project will establish new parks and wet lands with 14km of cycling and walking paths.

The new project will be largely welcomed by western suburbs residents, but begs the question of when – if ever – the state government will link the Eastern Freeway with CityLink and extend the Metropolitan Ring Road from Greensborough to EastLink.
Picture of Whitehall Street Yarraville courtesy of BlackCab/Wikimedia Commons