E-Gate is saved

E-Gate is saved

Concerns the Western Distributor toll road could destroy the E-Gate urban renewal project were quashed last month by the release of new designs for the road.

Initial plans for the Western Distributor appeared to show an exit road cutting through the 20-hectare E-Gate site to Docklands’ north.

However, new imagery indicates the road will run along the railway perimeter of E-Gate rather than through the middle of the site.

“The design of the Western Distributor is still being finalised and we don’t anticipate any significant impact on the E-Gate precinct,” a State Government spokesperson said.
The government last month committed $1.46 billion to the project over four years.

Toll-road operator Transurban, which proposed the road via the government’s market-led proposals guideline process, will fund the remainder of the estimated $5.5 billion needed to build the road.

The government and Transurban also last month signed an agreement on processes for the tender, planning and engagement stage and announced the establishment of the Western Distributor Authority.

Construction of the new toll road is expected to begin in 2018 and the current plan includes a tunnel under Yarraville, an elevated road built above Footscray Rd, along with two additional lanes in each direction on the Westgate Freeway (between M80 Ring Road and Williamstown Rd).

The aim of the road is to provide an alternative to the Westgate Bridge, remove trucks from local streets and reduce travel times from the west.

At the CBD end of the road, the current design includes a connection with CityLink to the north and exits onto Dynon Rd, Footscray Rd and Wurundjeri Way.

Wurundjeri Way will be extended north from Dudley St, along the railway perimeter of the E-Gate site, to connect with the Western Distributor and with Dynon Rd.

The Wurundjeri Way connection is intended to provide a city bypass for people travelling from the west of the city to south.

The government and Transurban are seeking feedback on the Western Distributor design options and commenced community consultation last month.

Docklands residents and stakeholders are invited to have their say on the Western Distributor plan at a community session this month at the Limelight Room at Etihad Stadium from 5pm to 8pm on Tuesday, May 3.

Visit http://www.westerndistributorproject.vic.gov.au for further information.

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