Melbourne will soon have its first new CBD bypass in 25 years, with the Wurundjeri Way extension set to open on Monday, 27 October.
The road is part of the West Gate Tunnel Project and will link Dynon Road in West Melbourne to Wurundjeri Way at Docklands. It is expected to reduce traffic on Spencer and King streets by giving drivers another option through the city.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams said the new bypass would improve connections across Melbourne.
“The Wurundjeri Way extension is Melbourne’s first new city bypass in 25 years – and it’s set to give drivers more choice, better connect the west, and take pressure off some of the CBD’s busiest streets,” Gabrielle said.
The new road will carry more than 10,000 vehicles a day when it opens, with capacity increasing to about 15,000 once the tunnels and elevated Footscray Road are complete later this year.
Construction has included a new bridge over Dudley Street, a 1.5-kilometre four-lane connection to Dynon Road, and widening Wurundjeri Way to six lanes between Dudley Street and Flinders Street.
The bypass is expected to make travel easier for people heading to Marvel Stadium and the busy Docklands precinct, where 73,000 people work and about 17,500 live. It will also link directly to the West Gate Tunnel when it opens later this year, providing smoother journeys to the west, including Werribee, Geelong and the Surf Coast.
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne said the extension would be a boost for drivers.
“Next month we’ll see the Wurundjeri Way extension give more options to motorists travelling across Melbourne’s west and the city,” Melissa said.
Member for Footscray Katie Hall said the new connection would benefit local residents. “Melbourne’s newest CBD bypass will give thousands of drivers in Melbourne’s west more reliable and direct journeys, with less time in the car and more time doing the things they love,” Katie said.
Drivers can explore the new route online at westgatetunnelproject.vic.gov.au/drive using the ‘Explore your Journey’ tool.