Premier completes first drive through Melbourne's delayed West Gate Tunnel

Premier Jacinta Allan has completed the first drive through of the West Gate Tunnel, with the controversial project set to finally open to drivers next month. Watch the video.

The maiden voyage through Melbourne’s serially-delayed West Gate Tunnel has finally been completed.

Premier Jacinta Allan drove through the 2.8km citybound tunnel with Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams and Roads Minister Melissa Horne about midday on Monday.

All asphalting and line-marking has been completed in the twin tunnels, but testing is still ongoing, with the major new route due to open to the public next month.

The toll road has been plagued by delays and budget blowouts, and despite its initial anticipated cost of $5.5bn, the final bill is forecast to come in at about $12bn.

Melissa Horne, Jacinta Allan and Gabrielle Williams on site. Picture: David Crosling

The tunnel is also about three years late, with a dispute over the disposal of contaminated soil causing significant issues. It was initially slated to be operational by 2022.

The government said the tunnel would take 9000 trucks off local roads each day, diverting them from streets in the inner-west.

Ms Allan said: “The West Gate Tunnel will get you in to work and back home sooner.”

Ms Williams took the chance to claim credit for the project against political opposition.

“The Liberals tried to block it and now we’re about to open it,” she said.

The government has stared down opposition from local community groups over concerns that the tunnel’s ventilation stacks will spew toxic exhaust fumes into neighbouring homes.

The toll road will finally open in December. Picture: David Crosling

However the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave its approval for the project on Monday.

Still, the community said the EPA and the government did not have its best interests at heart.

Ms Allan said there had been “incorrect reporting” about the ventilation stacks.

“Being on the side of residents who live here in the inner west is one of the reasons why we built this project in the first place.”

“To get those trucks off local roads will make a big, important difference.”

Inside the Westgate tunnel project. Picture: David Crosling

Ms Allan would not confirm the exact date that the tunnel would open, but maintained that it would be in December.

Asked about the mammoth cost of the project, Ms Allan said it was “consistent” with contracts signed in 2021, with taxpayers footing $4.2bn of the $10.2bn cost.