Wyndham council is calling for a 24/7 build on the proposed Western Distributor and its second river crossing in a bid to cut commuter pain.
The state government last week announced that it would allocate $1.46 billion in the 2016-17 budget to the $5.5 billion Western Distributor project, which will connect the West Gate Freeway to Citylink and the CBD via a new tunnel under Yarraville and a bridge over the Maribyrnong River.
The project will widen the West Gate Freeway from eight to 12 lanes between the M80 and Williamstown Road and include connections to CityLink, Dynon Road and an extended Wurundjeri Way.
Building could begin as early as the end of next year and be completed by 2022.
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But the construction phase is likely to add to commuter pain for Wyndham drivers as disruptions will be necessary on the West Gate Freeway.
Council transport portfolio holder Glenn Goodfellow said that while the council welcomed the Western Distributor funding, it called on the state government to minimise the construction period.
“It is simply unacceptable that Wyndham residents should continue to be forced to spend more than two hours just to get to work every day,” Cr Goodfellow said.
Latest data shows that 19 per cent of Wyndham residents – more than 14,000 people – drive to Melbourne’s CBD for work every day.
“While we welcome the state government’s commitment to build a second river crossing, Wyndham residents desperately need to see the duplication of Sayers Road, the upgrade of Dohertys Road and funding for more carparks at Williams Landing train station,” Cr Goodfellow said.
“The state government should also take a serious look at options to increase capacity on arterial roads and freeways such as peak or tidal flow technology that is being used in the USA to create extra traffic lanes in the peak direction.”
The state government has released two design options for the tunnel component which will be subject to community consultation.
Government spokesman Kosta Pandos said that while some commercial properties would be acquired to make way for the Western Distributor, “we don’t foresee any compulsory acquisitions” of homes.
“We are working hard to avoid impact on homes,” Mr Pandos said.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the state government would continue to advocate for federal funding but would build the Western Distributor with or without federal support.
RACV public policy general manager Brian Negus echoed the council’s concerns.
“It is critical that the state government and Transurban ensure that the project is staged to minimise traffic disruption on the West Gate,” he said.
