Congestion, noise and travel impacts linked to the West Gate Tunnel Project (WGTP).
Congestion and Noise
Identified in 2017
“Peak hour conditions for 12–14 hours a day …”
City of Melbourne Draft Submission — West Gate Tunnel Project, 4 July 2017 (s 4.2)
“Elsewhere, the project is predicted to increase traffic on streets … in North and West Melbourne.”
Minister for Planning’s Assessment of the West Gate Tunnel Project EES (November 2017)
NO engagement with North or West Melbourne until 20 Nov 2025
Traffic increases confirmed after tunnel opening
Daily change (vehicles/day) and percentage increase on key local streets.
Hawke St
Queensberry St
Victoria St
Curzon St
Gatehouse St
What this means on the ground
- Traffic volumes: redistributed rather than reduced…
- Congestion: near capacity for 12–14 hours/day…
- Car travel: slower and less predictable…
- Noise: more persistent, longer lasting…
- Public transport: trams and buses slowed…
- Mobility: fewer routing options, less resilience…
Overall, the WGTP creates a permanent shift in how North and West Melbourne moves.
Travel—by car or public transport—becomes slower and less predictable.
Why this site exists
This website was created to document and explain the impacts of the West Gate Tunnel Project (WGTP) on North and West Melbourne — impacts that were identified in official modelling and assessments, but were not clearly communicated to residents for many years.
The site provides a public, resident-focused record of what was known, how decisions evolved, and what those impacts mean at a local and precinct level.