No Boaty McBoatface: Victorians can name West Gate Tunnel

Victorians will have the chance to name the new $10.2bn West Gate Tunnel, but the Allan government has plans in place to avoid a “Boaty McBoatface” debacle.

Victorians will have the chance to name the twin tunnels surrounding the state’s newest toll road – and go in a draw to win a $500 fuel voucher in the process.

The competition for the $10.2bn West Gate Tunnel, which is due to open to motorists later this year, will be launched by Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams on Sunday.

The two names will be chosen by a selection committee rather than based on a popular poll, in a bid to avoid a situation like in the UK last decade when the public chose the name Boaty McBoatface for a new submarine.

Ms Williams said Victorians of all ages were invited to have a crack and submit two names for the twin tunnels of the project that will be “a vital alternative to the West Gate Bridge”.

Footscray City Primary school students Isobel, June, Tilly and Laeto think about what the new West Gate Tunnel should be named. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“This is a great opportunity for people to make their mark on this city shaping project that will change the way people move for decades to come,” she said.

“The West Gate Tunnel Project will deliver better connections between Melbourne’s west and the city and take 9000 trucks off local roads.”

Suggestions for inspiration include landmarks in Melbourne’s west, maritime history, local waterways, cultural heritage or historical figures.

Every person who submits two names will go in the draw to win a $500 Shell Coles Express voucher.

The two winners will also have the opportunity to donate $2500 towards a community organisation or charity.

The view of Melbourne city and the inner west from a flyover on the soon to be completed West Gate Tunnel Project at Footscray. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The West Gate Tunnel project is finally nearing the finish line, with the Allan government promising that motorists will hit the road this year following lengthy construction delays.

The project was initially contracted at $6.7bn and supposed to open in 2022, but was bogged down for almost three years by legal disputes about cost blowouts — worth at least $3.5bn — and the disposal of contaminated soil.

Once built, motorists would save up to 20 minutes when travelling from Melbourne’s outer west, with the new project offering an alternative to the West Gate Bridge via an underground tunnel and a dual elevated carriageway above Footscray Rd.

There will also be 14km of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths and almost 9 hectares of new parks and wetlands.

Submissions for the tunnel naming competition are open until Monday, March 31, with more information at westgatetunnelproject.vic.gov.au/nameyourtunnels