Skip to main content

Australia’s Western Distributor toll project has two tunnel options

Public consultation started this month for the proposed US$4.16 billion Western Distributor toll road project in Australia's Victoria state. The latest planes include options for either a short or long tunnel to connect Distributor to the West Gate Freeway. Victoria state government will spend $1.54 billion onthe project but no money is coming from the federal government. Transurban, the project's developer, said the shorter tunnel will have its entrance built in the Hyde Street Reserve. The lon
April 18, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Public consultation started this month for the proposed US$4.16 billion Western Distributor toll road project in Australia's Victoria state.

The latest planes include options for either a short or long tunnel to connect Distributor to the West Gate Freeway.

Victoria state government will spend $1.54 billion onthe project but no money is coming from the federal government.

891 Transurban, the project's developer, said the shorter tunnel will have its entrance built in the Hyde Street Reserve.

The longer, and more expensive, tunnel will be dug under Williamstown Road to avoid affecting parkland and residents in Yarraville. However, this option is expected to cause traffic congestions.

Western Distributor toll road project calls for the West Gate Freeway to be widened to 12 lanes from eight, between the M80 and Williamstown Road. Other aspects include the construction of an elevated section along Footscray Road, a second river crossing over the Maribyrnong and a 4.5km of pedestrian and cycling paths.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Australia sets transport agenda
    February 13, 2012
    The highway authorities in Australia have committed to investing in road infrastructure in Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia.
  • $1 billion Bengaluru road tunnel
    June 25, 2025
    A $1 billion Bengaluru road tunnel project is planned.
  • Sandvik wins tunneling machine deal in Australia
    July 6, 2015
    Sandvik is supplying a major order of tunnelling machinery for use on a construction project in Australia. This deal is for a major tunnelling project in Sydney. The NSW Government, Transurban and the M7 Westlink Shareholders (the Project Sponsors) are in process to build, operate and maintain a tolled motorway linking the M1 Pacific Motorway at Wahroonga to the Hills M2 Motorway at West Pennant Hills. The new route will be called NorthConnex.
  • Australia responds to infrastructure funding challenge
    July 13, 2012
    The Global Financial Crisis (GFC) has drastically changed the way governments and the private sector is prepared to procure vital infrastructure projects, says Philip Davies Governments have responded to the GFC by focusing on long term investment in transport infrastructure and shorter term stimulus packages to kick-start economies. As these projects proceed, the focus will shift to maintaining and achieving maximum benefits from assets and future infrastructure funding. The Public Private Partnership (PP