One Million Trips Through West Gate Tunnel
The Allan Labor Government is delivering faster, safer and more reliable journeys across Melbourne's inner west, with more than one million trips now taken through the West Gate Tunnel since opening.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne today announced that since opening on 14 December, the tunnels have already carried more than one million vehicles, giving drivers and freight operators the choice of the tunnel or the bridge.
Traffic volume is expected to continue to grow as drivers and trucks continue to get used to the new route.
More than 20 per cent of trips through the tunnel have been made by trucks, taking heavy vehicles off local roads and out of residential streets across Melbourne's inner west.
The tunnel's direct underground freight route to the Port of Melbourne is already reducing congestion and cutting truck movements on local streets in suburbs including Footscray, Seddon, Yarraville, Spotswood and Altona North.
As more motorists return to the roads, drivers are reminded to choose the tunnel or the bridge early, if travelling citybound from the west, by making their decision while on the M80 Ring Road or Princes Freeway.
If you're heading to Docklands, the CBD or the northern suburbs, take the left lanes to the tunnel, which also provide access to the Millers and Williamstown Road exits. For the south-east suburbs, take the right express lanes to the West Gate Bridge - once in the express lanes, there is no access to the tunnel or freeway exits.
Drivers are also reminded they can use the West Gate Tunnel to bypass the West Gate Bridge during incidents by taking the left lanes to the tunnel, exiting at Wurundjeri Way and then using Flinders Street and Montague Street to re-enter the freeway just before CityLink's Burnley Tunnel.
Discover a faster, safer way across Melbourne's west - join the growing number of drivers choosing the West Gate Tunnel every day. Find out more at westgatetunnelproject.vic.gov.au/drive.
As stated by Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne
"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."
As stated by Member for Footscray Katie Hall
"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."
As stated by Transurban Group Executive of Operations David Clements
"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."
"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."
https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-02/260202-One-Million-Trips-Through-The-West-Gate-Tunnel.pdf
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