The Allan Labor Government's West Gate Tunnel Project is another step closer to opening - with all asphalting and line-marking now finished inside the twin tunnels that will take 9,000 trucks a day off local roads.
Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams and Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne took the first end-to-end drive of the completed 2.8-kilometre citybound tunnel today - weeks out from its opening and ahead of thousands of Victorians walking through it on Sunday.
Asphalting began in August inside the citybound tunnel, before crews moved to complete the 4-kilometre outbound tunnel in September. More than 15,000 tonnes of asphalt is now laid.
Crews are continuing to extensively test the tunnel's safety systems, lights and traffic management systems in preparation for motorists to use the new connection later this year.
Above ground, work is underway on new green space, a walking and cycling path over Whitehall Street, and more than 1,700 architectural cladding panels installed at the tunnel entry and exit point.
The West Gate Tunnel Project will take traffic underground from the West Gate Freeway to the Maribyrnong River, seamlessly connecting to a new elevated sky road above Footscray Road.
Once complete, the project will transform travel across the western suburbs, delivering faster, more reliable journeys for hundreds of thousands of drivers every day to CityLink, the Port and the CBD.
The project has created 6000 jobs and supported businesses across Victoria.
Victorians can experience the new tunnel up close at the West Gate Tunnel Discovery Day on Sunday, 16 November - with more than 45,000 people set 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.
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"The West Gate Tunnel will get you in to work and back home sooner."
As stated by Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams
"The Liberals tried to block it and now we're about to open it."
As stated by Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne
"The West Gate Tunnel will deliver safer, more reliable journeys for everyone travelling across the west - especially the freight operators who keep our state moving."
As stated by Member for Footscray Katie Hall
"Our much-needed alternative to the West Gate Bridge will take 9,000 trucks a day off local roads."
