West Gate Bridge lane closures set to trigger hour-long Boxing Day delays

The West Gate Bridge will be brought to near-standstill from Boxing Day with three of five outbound lanes closed and hour-long delays expected.

The West Gate Bridge will have three outbound lanes closed from Boxing Day Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The West Gate Bridge will turn into the West Gate car park from Boxing Day, with three of five outbound lanes closed for maintenance and hour-long delays expected.

Motorists are urged to be patient during the annual works, which include asphalting and waterproofing.

Speed limits on the bridge will drop to 40km/h in both directions during works and motorists have been urged to plan for delays of up to 60 minutes.

The road maintenance will continue until January 6 – but that’s when more pain is forecast further along the West Gate Freeway.

The freeway will be closed in both directions at Grieve Parade from January 6-11, due to the demolition of a bridge needed to make way for the West Gate Tunnel.

A new overpass will be built with two extra lanes in each direction.

This will also affect the M80 Ring Road exit until late February, where a bridge deck is being reconstructed for the $6.7 billion project.

A series of other ramps along the freeway will be affected in January and February.

From January 11, bridges will be rebuilt and space made for extra lanes on the West Gate Freeway at Geelong Road and the M80 Ring Road intersection.

The around-the-clock works will also raise concrete slabs and improve waterproof membranes to ensure smoother ride between the freeway and the West Gate Bridge.

Works on the freeway will continue well into 2021 as part of the project, with bridges also reinforced at Grieve Pde ands Geelong Rd.

Roads Minister Ben Carroll said the project would provide a smoother journey for motorists when completed.

“While also doing the work to future-proof this iconic Melbourne landmark for many years to come,” he said.

“While there will be some delays as holiday makers head to the coast, we’re delivering these works over the summer months when the roads are the quietest.”

Originally published as West Gate Bridge lane closures set to trigger hour-long Boxing Day delays