Contract awarded 11 December 2011 to Transurban.
The West Gate Tunnel Project has enhanced the heavily used M1 corridor and provides an alternative to the West Gate Bridge.
It has expanded travel choices for motorists across one of Melbourne’s main cross-city road corridors and provided faster and more direct access to the Port of Melbourne and regional centres and communities.
To resolve a number of delivery issues arising during construction, the State and Transurban announced that an in principle settlement had been reached between the State, Transurban and the Design and Construct (D&C) Subcontractors (CPB Contractors - John Holland Joint Venture) for the West Gate Tunnel Project on 17 December 2021.
In March 2022, the State and Transurban entered into amending and settlement deeds to formally document the resolution of various commercial issues related to the project (Amending and Settlement Deeds). The State contributed an additional $1.9 billion, Transurban will contributed $2.2 billion and the D&C Subcontractors will forego revenue and profit margins on the project as part of the settlement. Construction was completed in late 2025.
This agreement facilitates a much needed second river crossing, quicker and safer journeys and the removal of thousands of trucks from residential streets.
Key features
- The West Gate Freeway was widened from 8 to 12 through lanes between the M80 and Williamstown Road.
- A tunnel under Yarraville and a second river crossing, including a bridge over the Maribyrnong.
- An elevated road along Footscray Road with direct links to CityLink, the Port of Melbourne and the western edge of the CBD.
- The longest managed motorway system in Australia from Geelong to Pakenham.
- Over 14km of new cycling and upgraded cycling and walking paths.
- The Monash Freeway was widened from 8 to 10 lanes between EastLink and South Gippsland Highway, and from 4 to 6 lanes to Clyde Road in Berwick.
Further Information
Documents updated for the agreed project settlement in March 2022
Documents at contract award
- West Gate Tunnel Project Agreement (PDF 15.71 MB)(opens in a new window)
- Amended CityLink Concession Deed (PDF 3.56 MB)(opens in a new window)
- Exhibit VV to the CityLink Concession Deed (100.03 MB)(opens in a new window)
- Exhibit XX to the CityLink Concession Deed Transport Network Enhancements (PDF 18.78 KB)(opens in a new window)
- Exhibit YY to the CityLink Concession Deed Minimum Requirements for Toll Road Operator Debt Recovery Arrangements (PDF 25.91 KB)(opens in a new window)
- West Gate Tunnel Project Bill (PDF 698.17 KB)(opens in a new window)
West Gate Tunnel Modifications
Updated