Delays to continue around Wurundjeri Way

Following a brief reopening over the coming Christmas and New Year break, the northern end of Wurundjeri Way will close again for a further two months as part of the completion of the West Gate Tunnel Project (WGTP).

The government announced in September that the section between Bourke and Dudley streets would remain closed to traffic between October 8 and December 2 while new ramps were constructed as part of the project.

With no further works at Wurundjeri Way announced at the time, it was expected the important Docklands arterial road would reopen and remain open ahead of the Christmas break.

However, as part of its “Big Summer Build” program of works, the state government announced on November 20 that following a brief reprieve for local traffic, the same section of road would close again from “mid-January to early March”.

It said these works would “allow for intersection works as well as work on the new road bridge that will remove traffic from the CBD and improve connectivity between the north, city, and west.”

“There will also be a weekend closure of CityLink between Footscray Rd and Dynon Rd on December 8 to allow for the installation of a huge steel beam that will create the vital link between the new elevated road on Footscray Rd and CityLink,” a government statement said.

The closures to Wurundjeri Way and Dudley St have seen extensive delays surrounding Docklands in recent months, with through traffic forced to travel along Harbour Esplanade and through the western end of the CBD.

A spokesperson for the WGTP told Docklands News works on Wurundjeri Way had been split into two stages with a break in between to allow the roads to reopen over the busy pre-Christmas season.

Multiple detour routes will be in place to help people get around, while access to Marvel Stadium will be available at all times via Bourke St or Flinders St and the southern end of Wurundjeri Way.

“We’re close to completing the first stage of works on this new city bypass that has involved building a new bridge and elevated roadway to extend Wurundjeri Way to Dynon Rd. We’ll start the second stage of works in mid-January,” the WGTP spokesperson said.

“We are delivering these vital works in stages to minimise disruptions and thank the community for their patience and understanding.”

“The Wurundjeri Way city bypass will change the way people move around the city and remove traffic from key city roads, including taking up to 5000 vehicles a day all up off Spencer and King streets.” •