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Infrastructure
West Gate Tunnel guide: tolls, truck bans and travel info for motorists
Discover key insights on Victoria’s West Gate Tunnel, including essential facts, toll details, and travel benefits for drivers.
It’s been an immense year for large-scale infrastructure projects that transform the face of Australia’s fastest-growing city, Melbourne. First, the long-awaited Metro Tunnel opened, introducing five new inner-city train stations and reducing pressure on the City Loop.
As of 14 December 2025, it is joined by the West Gate Tunnel. Read on to find out all you need to know about the twin tunnels that connect the existing West Gate Freeway with Footscray Road, Dynon Road, Melbourne’s CBD and CityLink.
In this article
The West Gate Tunnel provides another route for motorists, including freight vehicles, travelling to and from Melbourne's booming west. All images: Courtesy of Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority.
What is the West Gate Tunnel?
Much like the Metro Tunnel, the West Gate Tunnel is an ambitious addition to Melbourne’s transport needs. The result of a partnership between the Victorian Government and Transurban, the major new road project introduces twin tunnels bored under Yarraville.
Connecting the existing West Gate Freeway with Footscray Road, Dynon Road, Melbourne’s CBD and CityLink, the tunnel has been designed to ease pressure on the existing infrastructure.
Used by 200,000 Victorians daily, there is considerable congestion on the West Gate Bridge and Freeway, particularly when accidents occur.
The West Gate Tunnel is intended to ease this, allowing drivers to choose either the bridge or the tunnel. Adding four new lanes and including a new bridge over the Maribyrnong River, it is also designed to help free up local streets (such as Francis Street in Yarraville and Hudsons Road in Spotswood) from heavy vehicle traffic.
Read more: The road rules for freeway driving that every driver needs to know.
When is the West Gate Tunnel opening?
The West Gate Tunnel opened to road traffic in the early hours of Sunday, 14 December 2025.
Where are the new West Gate Tunnel entries and exits?
For drivers heading into the city, the West Gate Tunnel entrance is on the West Gate Freeway, just before Williamstown Road, exiting near the Maribyrnong River in Yarraville.
Drivers heading westbound enter the tunnel approaching the Maribyrnong River and exit onto the West Gate Freeway east of Millers Road, in South Kingsville.
The entrances and exits for the West Gate Tunnel are located in Yarraville and South Kingsville.
Will I have to pay a toll to use the West Gate Tunnel?
Yes, West Gate Tunnel access comes with a toll for all vehicles, as will new ramps at Hyde Street and those connecting via the city, though the latter will only apply in the mornings.
Cars using the tunnel will be charged $4.09, as will those using the Hyde Street ramps. The City West exits of Footscray Road, Dynon Road and Wurundjeri Way are tolled at $6.54 during the morning peak period. For motorcycles, the tolls are $2.05 or $3.27, or $6.54 and $10.47 for light commercial vehicles (LCV).
You can opt for a 24-hour pass charged at $16.78 for cars using the West Gate Tunnel only, or $38.12 in combination with CityLink. Those fees are $8.39 and $19.07 for motorcycles, or $26.83 and $78.53 for LCV.
Drivers will have options, with the West Gate Bridge and Freeway remaining toll-free for cars, motorcycles and light commercial vehicles. Tolls will apply for heavy commercial vehicles on the upgraded West Gate Freeway.
Can I use my existing Linkt account to pay for West Gate Tunnel tolls?
Yes, if you already hold a Linkt account that is set up for prepaid or postpaid travel then you will automatically be charged to this account when using the West Gate Tunnel. This applies to vehicles registered to both tagged and tagless Linkt accounts.
Is there a toll-free travel period on the West Gate Tunnel?
You can travel for free on the West Gate Tunnel every weekend during January 2026. Vehicles will be tolled at the usual rates during weekdays and public holidays.
You do not need to purchase a 24 Hour Pass if travelling solely on the West Gate Tunnel on a weekend in January 2026. Linkt account holders travelling on the West Gate Tunnel during the free travel periods will not be charged, nor will tags beep when going through checkpoints.
The free travel period applies only to the West Gate Tunnel, not other toll roads in Victoria, so you may still need to pay a toll depending on where you're travelling.
Taxi and rideshare organisations are aware of the toll-free period. If you are charged a toll for travelling in a taxi or rideshare on a weekend during January 2026 you should contact the relevant company to request a refund.
State-of-the-art traffic management systems have been installed as part of the West Gate Tunnel.
How will the West Gate Tunnel affect trucks and local roads?
Reducing the impact of heavy traffic on local neighbourhoods has been a key goal of the West Gate Tunnel project.
Once the West Gate Tunnel is fully operational, a 24/7 ban will apply to all trucks on selected streets in the inner west, preventing them from using these streets and requiring them to use the existing West Gate Freeway or the new West Gate Tunnel.
The roads with 24/7 truck bans now in place include:
- Francis Street, Yarraville
- Somerville Road, Yarraville
- Buckley Street, Footscray
- Moore Street, Footscray
- Hudsons Road, Spotswood
- Blackshaws Road, Altona North
There is also a truck ban in place on Williamstown Road in Yarraville between the hours of 8pm-6am weekdays, and at all times on weekends.
Removing trucks aims to have a transformative effect on surrounding communities, hopefully abolishing the much-maligned practice of rat runs throughout inner west suburbs and improve air quality in these areas.
How much travel time will the West Gate Tunnel save commuters?
It's been reported that motorists heading into the city from Melbourne’s west during peak morning traffic may be able to shave up to 20 minutes off their existing journey by using the West Gate Tunnel.
Motorists may be able to shave up to 20 minutes off their commute by using the West Gate Tunnel.
What safety features are in place for the West Gate Tunnel opening?
Safety is paramount for the new West Gate Tunnel, with state-of-the-art traffic management systems in place to monitor and guide vehicle movement. The new tunnel is also well-ventilated to meet Victoria’s stringent air quality requirements, which are among the highest in the world.
The West Gate Tunnel build also mitigates the impact on local communities by installing new walls designed to minimise noise pollution.
What do I do if there's a breakdown or accident while I'm on the West Gate Tunnel?
The West Gate Tunnel is operated by Transurban, who also operate Melbourne's CityLink toll road.
Transurban uses 24/7 monitoring across the roads it manages to detect incidents, such as breakdowns or accidents, as soon as possible. Transurban response teams often arrive at the incident within minutes of it being detected.
If you breakdown while travelling in the West Gate Tunnel put on your hazard lights and, if possible, park your vehicle into an emergency stopping lane or breakdown bay. If it's not possible, try to stop in a left or right lane.
Remain in your vehicle unless there is a fire or you are told to evacuate. If you need to evacuate, exit from the side of the vehicle furthest from traffic so that you keep your car between you and other vehicles.
Follow the running man symbols and flashing lights when evacuating, as these will lead you to a safe exit point.
Transurban's incident monitoring systems have likely already seen your breakdown, however, you can also contact the control centre for help on 13 33 31.
Read more: What to do if your car breaks down.
What new facilities are included for cyclists and pedestrians?
The West Gate Tunnel project includes over 14 km of walking and cycling paths, either new or upgraded, with a dedicated 2.5km ‘veloway’ for cyclists, ensuring a safer journey to and from the city and West Melbourne for cyclists and pedestrians.
Where can I find more information or updates?
For more information, there’s a vast amount of detail available on the official Victoria’s Big Build West Gate Tunnel FAQs and project page.
