$5.5b project to ‘cut drive times’

A green light for a proposed Western Distributor would create the “longest managed motorway system in Australia from Geelong to Pakenham”, according to Premier Daniel Andrews.
Mr Andrews said State Government would partner with Transurban on the $5.5 billion project, including upgrades to the Monash Freeway and Webb Dock.
Mr Andrews said a reference business case showed the project stacked up financially, delivering a benefit of $1.30 for every dollar invested.
The Monash Freeway upgrade would provide a network-wide solution, streamlining traffic from Geelong to Pakenham, he said.
“We’re getting on with the Western Distributor to provide an alternative to the West Gate Bridge.
“Motorists will see immediate travel time savings of up to 20 minutes a day – almost two hours a week Victorians can spend at home with family instead of stuck in traffic on the West Gate or Monash.”
The project would take 6000 trucks off the West Gate Bridge and create 5600 jobs.
The West Gate Freeway would be widened from eight to 12 lanes between the M80 and Williamstown Road with a tunnel under Yarraville and a second river crossing over the Maribyrnong River.
An elevated road along Footscray Road would provide direct links to the Port of Melbourne.
The project will be funded through a combination of tolling on the Western Distributor, an extension of Transurban’s CityLink concession and state and Commonwealth contributions.