Trucks to Be Banned on Suburban Melbourne Route

The heavy transport industry has opposed plans that would force heavy vehicles off suburban rat runs and onto the future West Gate Tunnel tollway.

Trucks are to be banned from detouring through a number of key suburban streets in Yarraville and Footscray, as of 2022 after the Western Distributor Project is complete.

In Yarraville, heavy vehicles will be banned from Francis Street and Somerville Road and in Footscray, they won’t be allowed on Buckley and Moore Streets.

The Andrews Government recently announced the ban which would be enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, forcing trucks to pay a toll to travel the Port of Melbourne through the new West Gate Tunnel. The only trucks allowed will be making local deliveries.

According to reports the impact of the ban on truck drivers has been downplayed by the Andrews government who said it would save truck drivers time and money on avoiding around 17 traffic lights. They also said it would minimise wear and tear on vehicles.