<p>The Victorian Government is considering a $2bn-plus super road and rail tunnel downstream from West Gate Bridge, about 2 metres below the Yarra River bed. </p> <p>The plan, which was revealed in the <em>Herald Sun</em> , 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. </p> <p>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.</p> <p>In 2002, the Infrastructure Planning Council reported that the West Gate Bridge was expected to reach capacity by next year. </p> <p>It is the subject of regular gridlock as traffic increases on Melbourne’s western corridor.</p> <p>The engineering firm Connell Wagner has masterminded the plan, according to the newspaper.</p> <p>It has been involved in projects including the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, Hong Kong International Airport terminal and Wembley Stadium redevelopment in London. </p> <p>The <em>Herald Sun </em> 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. </p> <p>Plans show the tunnel would be divided into three internal tunnels, two for road traffic and one for freight trains, the paper said. </p> <br />
