As West Gate Tunnel works ramp up to their final stage ahead of completion this year, new road disruptions will be in place across January and February.

Crews will be busy asphalting the new freeway and continuing construction on the tunnel exit structure, with lane and ramp closures set to occur between the West Gate Bridge and Millers Road. These works started on Sunday, January 5 and will continue until Saturday, March 8.

This will see the West Gate Freeway reduced to three lanes in both directions between Williamstown Road and Millers Road until mid-February.

During this same period, there will also be ramp closures in place at the West Gate Freeway outbound exit ramps to Millers Road and Grieve Parade – drivers who usually exit the freeway at Millers Road or Grieve Parade will need to exit early at Williamstown Road.

From Saturday, 15 February until Saturday, 8 March, the West Gate Freeway inbound will be reduced from four lanes to three lanes between Millers Road and Williamstown Road. The West Gate Freeway inbound entry ramps on Millers Road and Grieve Parade, along with the Williamstown Road exit ramp will also be closed.

“We thank drivers for their patience as we get on delivering vital works to open the West Gate Tunnel later this year,” says minister for transport infrastructure Gabrielle Williams.

“The West Gate Tunnel Project will deliver a vital alternative to the West Gate Bridge, providing a much-needed second river crossing when it opens by the end of 2025.”

Drivers are advised to use Williamstown Road to enter the freeway and to use the right lane to access the West Gate Bridge.

These works will install permanent road barriers, additional signage and smoother roads – along with new inbound express lanes that will run between the M80 Ring Road and the West Gate Bridge, making travel quicker and easier for motorists.

The Victorian government says the West Gate Tunnel Project will take 9000 trucks a day off local roads.