West Gate Tunnel is almost ready to open, letting thousands of trucks off local roads and transforming travel across Melbourne’s west.
Melbourne is about to get its first full experience of the West Gate Tunnel, with all asphalting and line-marking now finished inside the twin tunnels. The 2.8-kilometre citybound tunnel and 4-kilometre outbound tunnel are weeks away from opening, promising faster, more reliable journeys for drivers across the western suburbs.
West Gate Tunnel discovery day
- Where: West Gate Tunnel, Yarraville
- When: Sunday, 16 November
- Experience: Walk or run through the tunnels, followed by family activities at Yarraville Gardens
- Registrations here
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
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Work on the tunnel has involved more than 15,000 tonnes of asphalt and extensive testing of safety systems, lights and traffic management technology. Above ground, crews are installing new green space, a walking and cycling path over Whitehall Street, and over 1,700 architectural cladding panels at tunnel entry and exit points.
Toll operator Transurban has confirmed that the West Gate Tunnel will be free to use on weekends throughout January 2026, matching the state government’s decision to make weekend public transport free across Victoria over summer. The move gives drivers a chance to test the new route without tolls just weeks after the road officially opens in December.
Once fully open, the West Gate Tunnel will take traffic underground from the West Gate Freeway to the Maribyrnong River, connecting seamlessly to a new elevated sky road above Footscray Road. It is expected to remove up to 9,000 trucks a day from local streets, while supporting faster travel to CityLink, the Port and the CBD. The project has also created 6,000 jobs and boosted Victorian businesses.
Victorians can explore the tunnel at the West Gate Tunnel Discovery Day, experiencing the new space before it officially opens.
For more information, head here.
