Melbourne’s west was on show as thousands of people turned out for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to walk through the West Gate Tunnel before it opens to traffic.
The West Gate Tunnel Project ‘Discovery Day’ – a public open day and community celebration – drew tens of thousands of participants from across Victoria and beyond. For locals, it was a proud moment to see a project built in the west, for the west, coming to life.
Running and walking routes from Yarraville Gardens gave attendees a rare glimpse inside the massive twin tunnels, a look at the elevated road leading in and out of the tunnels, a walk through Yarraville’s new wetland and under the striking 38-metre timber canopy above the tunnel portal that will soon welcome drivers into the city. The day finished with a vibrant festival in Yarraville Gardens, complete with live music, food trucks, kids’ activities and community stalls – a true celebration of the west.
Every registration helped raise approximately $180,000 for two local charities: Community Bike Hub, which provides bike access and education across Melbourne’s west, and West Welcome Wagon, which supports asylum seekers and refugees rebuilding their lives in Australia.
Commissioning of the project is in full swing, with ongoing testing of the technological, electrical, communication, fire and safety systems that will keep the road running smoothly, ensuring everyone has a safe journey. The West Gate Tunnel Project is working closely with local authorities and emergency services to fully test and check every aspect of new and upgraded road and path infrastructure before the project opens in December.
Soon, drivers will see the new static and variable signs installed for the project being unveiled along roads leading to and from the tunnel as we steadily get ready to welcome vehicles.
When it opens, the West Gate Tunnel will change how Melbourne moves. The new twin tunnels connect the West Gate Freeway at Williamstown Road to Footscray Road, Dynon Road, CityLink and Wurundjeri Way, creating faster trips and taking thousands of trucks off local streets.
Before you drive, explore your journey options, preview routes and understand the toll points at westgatetunnelproject.vic.gov.au/drive. Updated signage, variable speed limits and smart technology will help keep traffic flowing, but planning ahead is key.
Safety features include 24/7 monitoring, incident response and real-time traffic updates. And to help drivers adjust, the tunnel will be free on weekends throughout January 2026.
