Victoria to ‘go it alone’ in funding for Western Distributor toll road

The Andrews Government says it will go it alone to fund the the Western Distributor toll road.

When the project was announced last year the Andrews Government had wanted the Commonwealth to contribute to the $5.5 billion plan.

But Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Thursday the state would now fully fund the taxpayers contribution – $2 billion in total.

Transurban will fund the rest and receive a toll deed extension in return.

Mr Andrews said the Prime Minister had made it clear he didn’t want to be a part of the project and he won’t delay any longer.

The project will connect the West Gate Freeway to CityLink via a tunnel under Yarraville.

Further designs have been released, with several options now being considered to connect the tunnel at the West Gate Freeway.

The government says construction of the project will begin in 2017.