The Andrews Labor Government today announced that a consortium headlined by John Holland and CPB Contractors has been selected to build the West Gate Tunnel Project.

The selection of a design and builder follows an extensive competitive process with the world’s most experienced constructors.

The design now includes Victoria’s longest road tunnel – at 4.1 kilometres –  which will become the vital new alternative to the West Gate Bridge, slashing travel times from the western suburbs.

Currently, an incident on the West Gate Bridge can triple travel times for motorists.

By building the new twin tunnels and a second river crossing, the West Gate Tunnel will deliver a long overdue alternative to the West Gate Bridge – giving trucks and cars direct access to Melbourne’s North.

The project also includes four more lanes on the West Gate Freeway from the M80 interchange to the West Gate Bridge, as well three express lanes in each direction to reduce merging and weaving.

The project will also create 6,000 new jobs, including 500 apprentices, up to 150 jobs for former auto workers, and around 400 jobs in Melbourne’s west.

The project will give the western suburbs the first-class freeway they deserve, with world-leading architecture and urban design that celebrates the aboriginal heritage and maritime history of Melbourne’s west.

The updated design further responds to community feedback with the best quality noise walls in Victoria, a 1 km-longer tunnel that moves the exit and ventilation structure away from homes, and the creation of 9 hectares – nearly 4 MCGs – of new open space and wetlands.

The project will now be assessed through an Environment Effects Statement (EES), which will be publicly exhibited mid-year before final contractual close at the end of the year, and construction in early 2018.

Quote attributable to the Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“The West Gate Tunnel project will slash congestion and take thousands of trucks off the West Gate Bridge. For people coming from the western suburbs this means less time in traffic and more time where they want to be.”

Quote attributable to the Member for Altona Jill Hennessey

“Drivers from Altona, Werribee, Point Cook, Hoppers Crossing and Laverton will now have a choice – the Tunnel or the Bridge.”