Plans revealed for new road/rail tunnel under the Yarra

The Victorian Government is considering a $2bn-plus super road and rail tunnel downstream from West Gate Bridge, about 2m below the Yarra River bed.

The plan, which was revealed in the Herald Sun , envisages a tunnel carrying three lanes of traffic each way and a freight rail line to Port Melbourne that would reconnect Webb Dock to the network.

The ambitious project is aimed at easing the traffic congestion crisis caused by the overcrowded West Gate Bridge. The roads are likely to be tolled.

In 2002, the Infrastructure Planning Council reported that the West Gate Bridge was expected to reach capacity by next year.

It is the subject of regular gridlock as traffic increases on Melbourne's western corridor.

The engineering firm Connell Wagner has masterminded the plan, according to the newspaper.

It has been involved in projects including the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, Hong Kong International Airport terminal and Wembley Stadium redevelopment in London.

The Herald Sun reported that if the multi-purpose tunnel goes ahead, it would run from the city entrance of the bridge – north of Williamstown Rd in Port Melbourne – and exit between Blackshaws and Melbourne roads in Altona North.

Plans show the tunnel would be divided into three internal tunnels, two for road traffic and one for freight trains, the paper said.