Tens of thousands of Victorians will today take part in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to run or walk through the Allan Labor Government's West Gate Tunnel before it opens to traffic next month.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams and Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne today joined more than 50,000 runners and walkers for a first-hand experience exploring the tunnel as part of the West Gate Tunnel Discovery Day.
Runners kicked off the day at 7:00am taking in the spectacular city views on the eight-kilometre run that included the new skyroad above Footscray Road that connects to the tunnel. At Yarraville Gardens, family-friendly celebrations - with food, music and activities for kids - brought the community together.
Walkers were treated to entertainment either side of the twin tunnels, as they wandered the 2.5-kilometre path from the Yarraville Gardens, passed the new wetlands and under the 38-metre-high timber net structure into the West Gate Tunnel.
Giving back to the inner west is at the heart of the Discovery Day - more than $175,000 was raised through registrations to support two local charities - Community Bike Hub, which provides bike access and education in the west, and West Welcome Wagon, which supports asylum seekers and refugees rebuilding their lives in Australia.
When the twin tunnels open in December, they will create a vital alternative to the West Gate Bridge - taking traffic underground from the West Gate Freeway to the Maribyrnong River and on to a new elevated skyroad above Footscray Road.
This new route offers a direct connection from the West Gate Freeway to the Port of Melbourne, CityLink, Footscray Road, Dynon Road and the new Wurundjeri Way extension.
The West Gate Tunnel Project will deliver a much-needed alternative to the West Gate Bridge - cutting congestion, improving safety and taking 9,000 trucks a day off local roads across Melbourne's inner west.
To learn more about the West Gate Tunnel Project, visit westgatetunnelproject.vic.gov.au/drive.
As stated by Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams
"More than 50,000 Victorians have taken this rare chance to explore the West Gate Tunnel on foot before it starts helping families get to work and back home sooner."
As stated by Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne
"The West Gate Tunnel will deliver safer and more dependable journeys from the west to the city - especially for the freight operators who keep Victoria moving, and for locals who deserve less congestion on their streets."
As stated by Member for Footscray Katie Hall
"This is a major win for our community - taking 9,000 trucks a day off local roads and creating safer, quieter neighbourhoods right across the inner west."
