More than one million trips have been recorded through the West Gate Tunnel since it opened in December, providing faster and more reliable travel across Melbourne’s inner west.
Traffic volumes are expected to continue increasing as more drivers become familiar with the new route.
More than 20 per cent of trips through the tunnel have been made by trucks, helping reduce heavy vehicle movements on local roads and residential streets across Melbourne’s inner west.
The direct underground freight connection to the Port of Melbourne is reducing congestion and cutting truck traffic in suburbs including Footscray, Seddon, Yarraville, Spotswood and Altona North.
Motorists travelling citybound from the west are encouraged to choose between the tunnel and the bridge early, while travelling on the M80 Ring Road or Princes Freeway.
Drivers heading to Docklands, the CBD or the northern suburbs are advised to use the left lanes to access the tunnel, which also connect to the Millers and Williamstown Road exits. Motorists travelling to the south-east suburbs should use the right express lanes to the West Gate Bridge.
The tunnel can also be used to bypass the West Gate Bridge during incidents by exiting at Wurundjeri Way and rejoining the freeway via Flinders Street and Montague Street.
Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Melissa Horne, said the tunnel was supporting freight and commuter travel.
“The West Gate Tunnel is providing trucks with a faster and more reliable route to the Port of Melbourne, helping reduce travel times and improve supply chain efficiency,” Horne said.
Member for Footscray, Katie Hall, said the project was improving local amenity.
“Directing trucks into the tunnel is helping improve safety and liveability on local streets,” Hall said.
Transurban Group Executive of Operations, David Clements, said the project was improving network connections.
“The West Gate Tunnel is improving access to the CBD and the Port of Melbourne while supporting more efficient freight movements and quieter local streets,” Clements said.
