Melburnians joined thousands to 'discover' the West Gate Tunnel ahead of opening.
More than 50,000 Victorians ran and walked through the West Gate Tunnel over the weekend before it opens to traffic next month.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams and Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne joined runners and walkers yesterday for the West Gate Tunnel Discovery Day. Participants got a first-hand look at the tunnel in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity before cars start using it in December.
Runners started the day at 7am, soaking up city views on an eight-kilometre route that included the new skyroad above Footscray Road connecting to the tunnel. Over at Yarraville Gardens, family-friendly celebrations brought the community together with food, music and kids’ activities.
West Gate Tunnel Discovery Day
- What: Community run and walk through the West Gate Tunnel
- When: Sunday, 16 November
- Where: Starting from Yarraville Gardens, through the twin tunnels
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Walkers enjoyed entertainment on both sides of the twin tunnels as they covered the 2.5-kilometre route from Yarraville Gardens, passing new wetlands and walking under the 38-metre-high timber net structure into the tunnel itself.
Community support formed a key part of Discovery Day. Registration fees raised more than $175,000 for two local charities; Community Bike Hub, which provides bike access and education in the west, and West Welcome Wagon, which helps asylum seekers and refugees rebuild their lives in Australia.
December will see the twin tunnels open, creating a crucial alternative to the West Gate Bridge. Traffic will flow underground from the West Gate Freeway to the Maribyrnong River before continuing onto a new elevated skyroad above Footscray Road.
This new route links the West Gate Freeway directly to the Port of Melbourne, CityLink, Footscray Road, Dynon Road and the new Wurundjeri Way extension. It’s a significant infrastructure addition that will reshape movement around Melbourne’s west.
Once operational, the West Gate Tunnel Project will ease congestion and boost safety across the area. Around 9,000 trucks daily will be redirected off local roads in Melbourne’s inner west, creating quieter and safer streets for residents in the surrounding neighbourhoods.
Yesterday’s Discovery Day gave thousands of Victorians the chance to experience this major infrastructure project firsthand before it becomes part of everyday travel. Families, running groups and walking enthusiasts all explored the tunnels that will soon handle significant traffic volumes.
The project caps off years of planning and construction work, establishing new connections that will serve communities across the inner west for generations. With December’s opening approaching, yesterday’s event marked an important moment in delivering this essential infrastructure to Melbourne.
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