More works are set to get underway in the inner west part of the West Gate Tunnel project in Victoria as an $11 million package of community upgrades was announced.
The multi-million dollar package of works will include upgrades such as sporting grounds, waterways, public reserves and local projects.
“The West Gate Tunnel is delivering massive benefits for the inner west – taking more than 9,000 trucks off local roads, creating nine hectares of new public open space and delivering an unprecedented package of upgrades to community facilities across the west,” Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan said.
Brooklyn’s public open spaces will be benefitting from this package – including Brooklyn Reserve, DN Duane Reserve, and Rowan Avenue Reserve.
The package will also include improvement works to sporting facilities and public open spaces at Donald McLean Reserve in Spotswood and WLJ Crofts Reserve in Altona North. As part of the West Gate Tunnel scope of works, a new sports pavilion has been committed at Donald McLean Reserve.
Local improvements for the Maribyrnong City Council will include upgrade works to Footscray Wharf and promenade.
In addition to the package of works, Transport for Victoria will be working with local councils in order to broaden the traffic studies on Millers Road and Williamstown Road which will provide a more detailed assessment of the City of Hobsons Bay’s transport needs.
“Today’s announcement will certainly help improve some community infrastructure adjacent to the project corridor and we see that as a good outcome,” Mayor of Hobsons Bay Cr Angela Altair said.
These upgrades were the outcome of local councils’ feedback which were provided through the Environment Effects Statement (EES) process.
The multi-billion dollar West Gate Tunnel was given the construction go-ahead in December 2017 after five design revisions. The final design for the project is currently expected to cost $6.7 billion, with tunnels now double the length to improve traffic flow and protect homes. This new cost estimate will also cover better city connections, additional noise walls, construction of massive new open spaces and more cycling paths as well as extending the air quality monitoring for a decade.
A joint venture between John Holland and CPB Contractors have been appointed to deliver the massive congestion busting project in April 2017. Construction on the West Gate Tunnel commenced in January this year and is set to open to traffic in 2022.
The entire West Gate Tunnel project is expected to support up to 6,000 jobs during its construction.
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