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.
Charging, Tolling & RUC

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