Motorists can look forward to a weekend of toll-free travel on the new West Gate Tunnel early next year.
After announcing free weekend public transport this summer to coincide with the opening of the Metro Tunnel, Premier Jacinta Allan challenged toll road operator Transurban to do the same when its West Gate Tunnel opens in December.
On Thursday, Transurban, which will operate the West Gate Tunnel along with its Citylink toll road, partially agreed.
“We’ve been working with government on ways to say thank you to Melburnian drivers travelling on the West Gate Tunnel including free weekend travel on West Gate Tunnel in January so that people can try the tunnels out over summer,“ a spokesprson for the company said.
While only for one weekend and only on one of Transurban’s toll roads, the offer will still appeal to inner west motorists who’ve endured years of disruption while the the $10 billion tunnel has been built.
On Thursday morning, Ms Allan was joined by Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabriel Williams and Roads, Ports and Freight Minister Melissa Horne for a test drive along the elevated ‘skyroad’ section of the tunnel which connects the Yarraville entry and exit point to the Wurundjeri Way extension in Docklands.
“You’ve met skyrail, now meet skyroad,” Ms Allan said after driving along the six lane, 1.5 km road which sits 13 metres above the old Footscray Road.
“The new elevated Footscray Road will mean less time in traffic and more time at home.”
A 2.5-kilometre cycling veloway underneath the new skyroad is also nearing completion, with technicians currently installing wiring for cameras and lighting.
Ms Horne, who is also the MP for Williamstown, emphasised the impact the West Gate Tunnel would have on reducing inner west truck traffic.
“Together with the truck bans, this will help take thousands of trucks off local roads.” Ms Horne said.
While the skyroad section is complete, work on other sections of the West Gate Tunnel project has reportedly stopped due to CFMEU members walking off the job on Wednesday.
The CFMEU was contacted for comment.
