Skip to main content

Victorian Government to fund second river crossing

The Victorian Government in Australia is to provide the full funding for the Western Distributor Project, a second river crossing which includes the Monash Freeway Upgrade and upgrades to Webb Dock, after the Federal Government rejected a request for a contribution to the funding. Construction of the US$4.2 billion (AU$5.5 billion) Western Distributor will start in 2017, local motorists paying for the rest of it with tolls extended until 2045. The Government and Transurban in Australia have now signed
April 18, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
The Victorian Government in Australia is to provide the full funding for the Western Distributor Project, a second river crossing which includes the Monash Freeway Upgrade and upgrades to Webb Dock, after the Federal Government rejected a request for a contribution to the funding.

Construction of the US$4.2 billion (AU$5.5 billion) Western Distributor will start in 2017, local motorists paying for the rest of it with tolls extended until 2045.

The Government and Transurban in Australia have now signed an agreement on processes for the tender, planning and engagement stages and announced the establishment of the Western Distributor Authority to get the project completed.

They have also released the first full designs which include two options for connecting the West Gate Freeway to the Western Distributor Tunnel, either directly within the road reserve, or via ramps to a portal in adjacent land.

Key features include: a tunnel under Yarraville and a second river crossing over the Maribyrnong; the longest managed motorway system in Australia from Geelong to Pakenham; 4.5km of new cycling and pedestrian paths including completion of the Federation Trail; Widening the Monash Freeway in two places.

To get dangerous goods trucks, which can’t travel in a tunnel, out of residential streets, the designs include five ramp options to connect the West Gate Freeway directly to Hyde Street.

Related Content

  • April 11, 2017
    JV wins multi-billion dollar West Gate Tunnel project
    CPB Contractors has been selected by Australian toll road operator Transurban as the preferred contractor to deliver Victoria’s multi-billion dollar West Gate Tunnel Project in a joint venture with John Holland. The West Gate Tunnel Project will address a number of critical challenges in relation to traffic, growth and liveability across Melbourne. Design and construction works include widening the West Gate Freeway from eight lanes to 12 between the M80 Ring Road and Williamstown Road, as well as bui
  • May 1, 2015
    Tullamarine freeway upgrade ‘to cut airport run by up to 20 minutes’
    A US$1 billion project, which will add 24 kilometres of extra lanes to one of Victoria’s busiest and most important roads and reduce congestion and travel time to Melbourne airport, is set to be unveiled. Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Luke Donnellan, has announced that the Victorian Government and Transurban had signed a new, robust agreement to deliver the CityLink Tullamarine Widening Project. The Australian and Victorian Governments and Transurban will jointly fund the project, which also inc
  • April 3, 2017
    Melbourne’s new tunnel to deliver 24/7 truck bans
    Plans for the West Gate Tunnel Project in Melbourne, Australia, include 24/7 truck bans on streets in two suburbs of the city to improve safety, reduce noise and greatly improve air quality for local families. The project, due to be completed in 2022, will give trucks a dedicated route to the port or Melbourne and mean they no longer have to rely on local roads. The project will provide direct freeway access for trucks travelling to the port through a new tunnel, moving them away from schools, homes and
  • April 12, 2016
    Government support for Australian infrastructure projects
    The Australian Government has announced plans to invest in Australia’s infrastructure, spending US$370.27 million (AU$490 million) in Western Australia infrastructure in 2016-2017 and US$1.2 billion (AU$1.5 billion) on road and rail projects in Victoria. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull stated that the federal government and the Western Australia state government will work together to identify the appropriate projects for the additional investment. A spokeswoman for West Australian Premier Colin Barnett,