Fury over no barriers for West Gate Tunnel truck ramps
Conflicting information has emerged about what was promised to residents to limit noise and pollution from new truck ramps onto the West Gate Freeway.
North West
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THE lack of barriers on the West Gate Freeway truck ramp has riled residents, who say they will be hit with noise and diesel fumes.
The State Government confirmed last week there would be no buffers to limit noise and air pollution from the new two-lane truck ramps, being built as part of the $6.7 billion West Gate Tunnel.
A Leader poll of 100 people found 95 wanted the barriers installed.
READ MORE:
RESIDENTS’ FURY OVER NO BARRIERS FOR WEST GATE TUNNEL TRUCK RAMPS
TUNNEL COULD CAUSE ALL-DAY PEAK-HOUR TRAFFIC, SAYS COUNCIL
WEST GATE TUNNEL TO COST $6.7 BILLION
Spotswood and South Kingsville Residents Group president Rosa McKenna said the west was treated horribly by the State Government.
“You would never get this happening in the east,” she said.
“Why does the government give such poor regard to the western suburbs of Melbourne?”
The news comes despite project chief executive Peter Sammut pledging a barrier alongside Donald McLean Reserve in May last year.
“A stringent noise standard has been set for the West Gate Tunnel project, which will see brand new noise walls for residents next to Donald McLean Reserve,” he said at the time.
However, it is understood noise buffers on the Hyde St westbound ramp were never part of the works because the ramps will carry low traffic — about 1500 vehicles a day by 2031 — and not make enough noise to warrant barriers.
The West Gate Tunnel Project will include noise walls along the West Gate Freeway and the Williamstown Rd exit ramp.
West Gate Tunnel Project acting chief executive Robert Forte said community feedback had shaped the process, “resulting in … new noise walls protecting communities and sports grounds, and includes new paths linking communities on either side of the freeway”.
Ms McKenna said when the government promised walls and barriers around sports grounds, she “naturally assumed there would be barriers on the ramps”.
“It’s a bit of a sleight of hand. We don’t think it’s fair,” she said.
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