A new toll-free Melbourne CBD bypass – Wurundjeri Way extension – has opened to traffic today, allowing motorists to avoid the CBD when travelling from one side of the city to the other.
The bypass provides a new direct link into Docklands and the Marvel Stadium precinct, and faster connection between Dynon Road and Flinders Street.
It’s expected to take thousands of vehicles off some of the city’s busiest thoroughfares, including Spencer and King Streets.
Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams, and Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne inspected the new road yesterday, ahead of its opening to traffic at 6am this morning (Monday October 27).
Commenting on the opening, Premier Jacinta Allan said, “The new Wurundjeri Way extension will make getting around our city easier – providing another connection for Melbourne’s west to the CBD, and the first new CBD bypass in a quarter of a century.”
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams added, “The Wurundjeri Way extension will transform travel across the city and western suburbs – while easing traffic on busy city thoroughfares like Spencer and King.”
Opening this toll-free road will also ease congestion during major events in and around Docklands, providing another entry and exit point to the precinct and reducing bottlenecks on surrounding roads during peak periods before concerts and the footy.
The Wurundjeri Way extension will add capacity to the road network, taking up to 5000 vehicles a day off some of the city’s busiest thoroughfares – including Spencer and King streets.
It’s being built as part of the West Gate Tunnel which opens later this year.
Once open, the West Gate Tunnel will deliver an alternative to the West Gate Bridge.