Editing West Gate Freeway (section)

===2008–11 upgrade===
Traffic volumes on the West Gate Freeway have grown steadily since opening, carrying up to 180,000 vehicles every day. Congestion frequently occurs at the Montague Street and Bolte Bridge interchanges due to conflicting traffic movements on and off the freeway. On 1 May 2008 the Minister for Roads and Ports [[Tim Pallas]] announced design details for the West Gate Freeway improvements, to assist in maintaining rapidly growing volume capacity and to reduce congestion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mcwupgrade.com.au/documents/File/M1%20Final%20Design%20MR.pdf |title=Media Release from the Minister for Roads and Ports: M1 UPGRADE STARTS TO TAKE SHAPE |date=1 May 2008 |publisher=mcwupgrade.com.au |access-date=13 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719225853/http://www.mcwupgrade.com.au/documents/File/M1%20Final%20Design%20MR.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=19 July 2008}}</ref>

They are:
* a full freeway management system, made up of [[Ramp Meter|Ramp Metering (Signalling)]], Lane Use Management Signs (overhead lane availability / variable speed zones), electronic on-road message signs, arterial road message signs, CCTV cameras and a suite of freeway traffic algorithms and software with data stations, thousands of sensors and a core server at the VicRoads TMC. Previously wind warning lights were used to reduce the speed limit during high winds but it could only limit speed to either 40 km/h or 60 km/h.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20240407044110/http://www.hobbiesplus.com.au/signspotters/freeway_signs.htm</ref>
* the addition of a new elevated road structure joining the outbound Kings Way on-ramp to the Freeway
* new traffic ramps over Montague Street
* an additional dedicated exit ramp from the Bolte Bridge to the Freeway
* widening of the freeway between Todd Road and Montague Street
* redesign of the Montague Street interchange.

These works help reduce merging and weaving movements at key points on the freeway, leading to a smoother traffic flow and improved driver safety. As part of the works the Montague Street on-ramp city bound had been closed for approximately 18 months to enable the new one to be built.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mcwupgrade.com.au/news.php?NewsId=21 |title=May 2008 - M1 upgrade starts to take shape |work=Monash - CityLink - West Gate upgrade |publisher=mcwupgrade.com.au |access-date=13 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528105725/http://www.mcwupgrade.com.au/news.php?NewsId=21 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=28 May 2008}}</ref>

Early works on the West Gate Freeway, including geo-technical investigations and service proving, commenced in late 2007. In early 2008 construction works started on the freeway widening, specifically in the South Melbourne area. New traffic lanes and ramps have been completed and opened in different stages with the total project eventually completed and opened to traffic in June 2011.<ref name="VR12AR">{{cite news |url=https://vgls.sdp.sirsidynix.net.au/client/search/asset/1292679 |title=VicRoads Annual Report 2011-12 |newspaper=[[VicRoads]] |location=Melbourne |date=18 September 2012 |page=8 |publisher=Victorian Government Library Service}}</ref> The project was awarded the 2011 Australian Construction Achievement Award.<ref>{{cite news |title=2011 Winner |publisher=Australian Construction Achievement Award |url=http://www.acaa.net.au/2011_winner.html |access-date=9 September 2011}}</ref>