Major Changes to the Commute from the Western Corridor.

Local and State Governments are working towards improving the commute into the city for the rapidly growing population in the Western Corridor.

West Gate Freeway and Tunnel

The West Gate Freeway is one of Melbourne’s busiest roads, carrying over 200,000 vehicles a day; a single break-down or accident can bring the freeway to a standstill. To reduce traffic and travel time for commuters from the growing western suburbs, the State Government has partnered with Transurban to deliver the now, well underway, West Gate Tunnel and increase the number of lanes on the freeway.

In addition to providing a second river crossing, the tunnel project works will provide an additional four lanes to the West Gate Freeway.

Victoria’s Big Build website advises, when the project is complete it will:

• provide a second river crossing, reducing reliance on the West Gate Bridge,
• widen the West Gate Freeway from 8 to 12 through lanes,
• ease congestion for the daily commuters,
• better connect Melbourne’s west to CityLink, Footscray Road, Dynon Road, and Wurundjeri Way,
• better manage traffic flows and incidents through smart technology.

For more information on the West Gate Tunnel Project, visit the Big Build website.

Hopkins Road Level Crossing Removal Works

In addition to the West Gate Tunnel Project, level crossing removals form part of Victoria’s big build. 

Hopkins Road level crossing has been added to the project to make the City of Melton level crossing free by 2028, with the Victorian Government committing to starting works on the Hopkins Road crossing removal in 2023. (Moving Melton).

“Removing these level crossings will reduce congestion, improve safety and pave the way for more capacity on the train network. With no level crossings in the area, journeys will be faster and more reliable, and local roads will be safer.” (Victoria’s Big Build).

Read more about City of Melton Level Crossing Removal Works here.

To explore all level crossing removal projects, click here.

Potential Upgrades for Hopkins Road

The City of Melton are proposing upgrades for Hopkins Road in addition to the State Government’s level crossing removal works to reduce congestion and increase commuter safety.

“Hopkins Road is a critical north south connector for the west, providing access to employment precincts and connecting the Western Highway to the Princes Freeway. It is currently a rural-standard carriageway with unsealed shoulders, open drains and non-existent pedestrian facilities.” (Moving Melton).

With the rapidly growing population in the west expected to increase Hopkins Road usage from 27,000 to 40,000 vehicles a day by 2031, it is important the infrastructure is upgraded to meet demands. The proposed solution on the Moving Melton website is:

• removal of the level crossing with grade separation near Greigs Road [road over rail treatment],
• Hopkins Road duplication between the Western Highway and Boundary Road,
• upgrade of the Boundary Road intersection with traffic lights,
• new pedestrian and cycling path.

For more information and to stay up to date with the proposal for Hopkins Road upgrades, visit the Moving Melton website.

Future Mt Atkinson Train Station

The future Mt Atkinson train station, to be located moments from Olivia at the proposed Mt Atkinson Town Centre, will reduce road congestion (by an estimated 1,400 car trips a day), relieve pressure on other local stations, and help support local employment – construction of the new station will create 271 jobs for the local economy as well as improve access to existing and proposed employment
opportunities in the Western Corridor. (Moving Melton).

Further information on this and other local rail upgrades can be found on the Moving Melton Website.

Images courtesy of Moving Melton and Victoria’s Big Build.