SAFETY on Melbourne’s West Gate Freeway has been improved following a $25 million smart technology investment.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said that an electronic freeway management system, similar to the one on the Monash Freeway and the M80 Ring Road, has been installed on the city’s second busiest freeway.

“The new technology which has been installed between Williamstown Road and the M80 Ring Road, is part of the West Gate Freeway Managed Motorway project,” Mr Truss said.

“Motorists in Melbourne are becoming familiar with the ‘managed motorway’
concept where electronic overhead signs are used to advise drivers if a lane is open, closed or about to close.

“Variable speed limit signs also feature in the new system to allow speed limits to be adjusted up or down to suit traffic conditions.

“These smart technology improvements will improve traffic flow and boost safety for thousands of drivers.”

Victorian Minister for Roads Terry Mulder said that the 180,000 drivers who use the West Gate Freeway daily will have already noticed the eight additional closed-circuit TV cameras and 11 new gantries installed over recent months.

“The cameras will feed live vision to the VicRoads Traffic Management Centre for enhanced traffic monitoring,” Mr Mulder said.

“By taking advantage of new technology to make our roads smarter, we can reduce congestion and significantly improve road safety across Melbourne’s busiest freeways.”

The West Gate Freeway Managed Motorway project is jointly funded by the Federal ($12.5 million) and the State ($12.5 million) governments under the National Managed Motorways Programme.