Road Photos & Information: Victoria: Princes Highway, West Gate Freeway, CityLink, Monash Freeway & Princes Freeway (M1 / A1)

Road Photos & Information: Victoria

M1 A1

Princes Highway, West Gate Freeway, CityLink, Monash Freeway & Princes Freeway (M1 / A1) - Werribee to Hawthorn

Statistics:

Length: 956 km (Werribee to Hawthorn: 41 km)
Western Terminus: Princes Highway (A1) at the South Australian Border, Mumbannar
Eastern Terminus: Princes Highway (A1) at the New South Wales Border, Maramingo Creek
Miscellaneous: Continues as Princes Highway (A1) in SA and Princes Highway (A1) in NSW
Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along The Route: Werribee, Werribee South, Point Cook, Hoppers Crossing, Seabrook, Altona, Altona North, Southbank, South Melbourne, Burnley and Hawthorn

Route Numbering:

Current: M1

Former: 1
Multiplexes:
Road Authority Internal Classification: 1500 (Princes Fwy West) 2

General Information:

M1 / A1 is a major route that crosses roughly from east to west in Victoria. The standard varies from single carriageway rural highway to full freeway standard.

Multiplexes along the route include:

Tourist Drive 2 from Spotswood to South Melbourne for 6 km

Princes Freeway:

The Princes Freeway is in 2 sections. The western section connects with the West Gate Freeway and extends to the Geelong area. The eastern section connects with the Monash Freeway and joins up with the Princes Highway (East) at Traralgon. There is also a small section of Princes Freeway, otherwise known as Orbost Bypass, at Orbost. It's not dual carriageway however. 1

West Gate Freeway:

The West Gate Freeway connects the Princes Freeway (West), with CityLink southern link. Forming a section of the West Gate Freeway is the West Gate Bridge. The West Gate Bridge is the second-longest bridge in Australia. It is a cable-stayed bridge and has a span of 2582.6 metres. The West Gate Bridge collapsed on 15 October 1970, resulting in the deaths of 35 people. The bridge was rebuilt and completed in 1978. 3

CityLink:

CityLink is in divided into 2 parts, the western section (Metropolitan Route 43) and the southern section (M1). The CityLink southern section features 2 tunnels, the Burnley and Domain Tunnels. The Burnley tunnel is approximately 3.5 kilometres in length. 4

History:

1925: Princes Highway declared as a state highway, even though the name was in use for years prior. 1
1960s: Princes Highway (Geelong Road) duplicated. 5
1961: Victoria’s first section of freeway opened to traffic - Maltby Bypass, now part of the Princes Freeway at Werribee. 6
1968: John Holland and World Services win the contracts to build the bridge and construction begins. 7
15 October 1970: A span of West Gate Bridge collapsed during its construction, a memorial is in place for the workers who were killed, in the suburb of Spotswood. 8
1972: Construction recommences with many of the survivors returning to work on the bridge. 7
1974: Closure of the vehicular ferry operated by Williamstown Council with the opening of the West Gate Bridge. 9
1978: Completion of the West Gate Bridge. 10
16 April 2000: The CityLink Doman Tunnel opened to traffic. 11
22 December 2000: The CityLink Burnley Tunnel opened to traffic. 12
24 January 2002: First sections of the 3 lanes wide, upgraded Princes Freeway (Maltby Bypass) at Werribee, opened to traffic. 6
2004: West Gate Bridge Memorial Park in to commemorate the men who died when a section of the bridge collapsed on 15 October, 1970. 13
July 2006: Construction begins on the interchange with Palmers Road at Point Cook. 14

Werribee to Hawthorn		Hawthorn to Werribee
Preview:	Description:	Preview:	Description:
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Werribee approaching Geelong Rd (C109), January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Yarra Boulevard: Citylink (M1) at Burnley at Yarra Blvd (TD2) interchange, December 2013. Image © Michael Greenslade
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Werribee approaching Geelong Rd (C109), January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Punt Rd (MR29) at Richmond, December 2013. Image © Michael Greenslade
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Werribee approaching Geelong Rd (C109), January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Punt Road: Citylink (M1) at the Punt Rd (MR29) interchange at Melbourne, December 2013. Image © Michael Greenslade
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Werribee approaching Geelong Rd (C109), January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Batman Avenue: Citylink (M1) at Batman Av interchange, Melbourne, December 2013. Image © Michael Greenslade
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Werribee approaching Geelong Rd (C109), January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Southbank approaching Montague St (MR30), December 2013. Image © Michael Greenslade
	Geelong Road: Princes Fwy (M1) at Werribee at the Geelong Rd (C109) interchange, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Montague Street: West Gate Fwy (M1) at South Wharf at the interchange with Montague St (MR30), December 2013. Click here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from November 2005. Image © Rob Tilley
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Werribee, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on West Gate Fwy (M1) at Port Melbourne, approaching Citylink (MR43), November 2006. Image © Stuart Fox
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Sneydes Rd interchange, Werribee, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Advance Directional Sign: West Gate Fwy (M1) at Spotswood approaching Williamstown Rd (MR37), December 2013. Image © Michael Greenslade
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Sneydes Rd interchange, Werribee, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Millers Road: West Gate Fwy (M1) at Millers Rd (MR41) interchange, Altona North, December 2013. Image © Michael Greenslade
	Sneydes Road: Princes Fwy (M1) at the Sneydes Rd interchange, Werribee, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Western Ring Road: West Gate Fwy (M1) at the interchange with Western Ring Rd (M80) at Altona North, December 2013. M1 reverts back to Princes Fwy name at this location. Image © Michael Greenslade
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Werribee approaching Princes Hwy (C109) interchange, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on Princes Fwy (M1) at Altona North approaching the interchange with Kororoit Creek Rd (MR35), December 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	Princes Highway: Princes Fwy (M1) at the Princes Hwy (C109) interchange, Werribee, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign on Princes Fwy (M1) at Altona North approaching the interchange with Kororoit Creek Rd (MR35), December 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Forsythe Rd (C701) at Hoppers Crossing, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Kororoit Creek Road Interchange: Princes Fwy (M1) at the interchange with Kororoit Creek Rd (MR35) at Altona North, December 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	Tourism Sign: Sign welcoming people to Melbourne, Hoppers Crossing, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Distance Sign: RD sign on Princes Fwy (M1) at Altona, October 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Hoppers Crossing, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on Princes Fwy (M1) at Altona approaching the interchange with Newland St, December 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching Forsythe Rd (C701) at Hoppers Crossing, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign on Princes Fwy (M1) at Altona approaching the interchange with Newland St, December 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	Forsythe Road: Princes Fwy (M1) at Forsythe Rd (C701) interchange, Hoppers Crossing, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Newland Street Interchange: Princes Fwy (M1) at Altona at the Newland St interchange, October 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	Point Cook Road: Princes Fwy (M1) at the Point Cook Rd interchange in Laverton, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign on Princes Fwy (M1) at Point Cook, approaching the Point Cook Rd interchange, October 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	High Street: Princes Fwy (M1) at the High St interchange in Laverton, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Point cook Road Interchange: Princes Fwy (M1) at Point Cook, at the Point Cook Rd interchange, October 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Laverton approaching Fitzgerald Rd (MR40) and Kororoit Creek Rd (MR35) interchange, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Point Cook approaching Palmers Rd, December 2012. Image © Tim Cole
	Reassurance Directional Sign: Distance sign at Laverton, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Palmers Rd: Princes Fwy (M1) at the Palmers Rd interchange, Point Cook, December 2012. Image © Tim Cole
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Laverton approaching Fitzgerald Rd (MR40) and Kororoit Creek Rd (MR35) interchange, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Point Cook for exits to Hoppers Crossing, October 2006. This sign has since been removed. Image © Rob Tilley
	Fitzgerald Road: Princes Fwy (M1) at the Fitzgerald Rd (MR40) interchange at Laverton, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Distance Sign: RD sign at Point Cook, October 2006. This sign has since been removed. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Laverton approaching Kororoit Creek Rd (MR35) interchange, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on Princes Fwy (M1) for the Forsyth Rd (C701) interchange, Point Cook, December 2012. Click here for a photo by Rob Tilley of this location from October 2006. Image © Tim Cole
	Kororoit Creek Road: Princes Fwy (M1) at the Kororoit Creek Rd (MR35) interchange at Laverton, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on Princes Fwy (M1) for the Forsyth Rd (C701) interchange, Point Cook, October 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching the Western Ring Road (M80) interchange, Laverton North, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Forsyth Road Interchange: Princes Fwy (M1) at Hoppers Crossing at the Forsyth Rd (C701) interchange, October 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching the Western Ring Road (M80) interchange, Laverton North, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on Princes Fwy (M1) (Maltby Bypass) for the Princes Hwy (C109) interchange, Hoppers Crossing, December 2012. Image © Tim Cole
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign approaching the Western Ring Road (M80) interchange, Laverton North, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Distance Sign: RD sign at Hoppers Crossing near the Princes Hwy (C109) interchange, October 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	Western Ring Road: Princes Fwy (M1) at the Western Ring Rd (M80) interchange, Laverton North, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Princes Highway Interchange: Princes Fwy (M1) (Maltby Bypass) at the Princes Hwy (C109) interchange, Hoppers Crossing, December 2012. Image © Tim Cole
	Princes Highway: Princes Fwy (M1) at the Princes Hwy (MR83) interchange at Laverton North, January 2017. This is where M1 becomes West Gate Fwy. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Princes Highway Interchange: Princes Fwy (M1) (Maltby Bypass) at the Princes Hwy (C109) interchange, Hoppers Crossing, October 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	Princes Highway Interchange: Intersection directional signs over the Princes Fwy at Laverton North, at the interchange with the Princes Hwy (MR83), January 2017. This is where M1 becomes West Gate Fwy. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Werribee South near the Sneydes Rd overpass for the Duncans Rd (C108 / TD11) interchange, October 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	Altona North: West Gate Fwy (M1) at Altona North, looking east, November 2006. Image © Stuart Fox		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Werribee South for the Duncans Rd (C108 / TD11) interchange, October 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Brooklyn approaching Millers Rd (MR41), January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Duncans Road Interchange: Princes Hwy (M1) at Werribee South at the Duncans Rd (C108 / TD11) interchange, October 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Brooklyn approaching Millers Rd (MR41), January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on Princes Fwy (M1) for the Princes Hwy (C109) (Geelong Rd) interchange, Werribee, October 2006. The overpass for New Farm Rd is in the distance Image © Rob Tilley
	Millers Road: West Gate Fwy (M1) at Brooklyn at the Millers Rd (M41) interchange, January 2017. Note the freeway green ID sign. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on Princes Fwy (M1) for the Princes Hwy (C109) (Geelong Rd) interchange, Werribee, October 2006. The overpass for New Farm Rd is in the distance Image © Rob Tilley
	Freeway Green Advance Directional Sign: Freeway green AD sign at Brooklyn approaching Williamstown Rd (MR37), January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Princes Hwy Interchange: Princes Fwy (M1) at the Princes Hwy (C109) (Geelong Rd) interchange, Werribee, October 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental green AD sign at Yarravale approaching Williamstown Rd (MR37), January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection		Distance Sign: RD sign on Princes Fwy (M1) at Werribee, after the Princes Hwy (C109) (Geelong Rd) interchange, October 2006. Image © Rob Tilley
	Williamstown Road: Freeway green signs at the Williamstown Rd (MR37) interchange at Yarravale, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection
	Variable Speed Sign Explanation: Old style sign explaining flashing lights used for variable speed limits on the West Gate Bridge (M1 / TD2) over the Yarra River. Sign has since been removed. Port Melbourne, November 2006. Image © Stuart Fox
	Variable Speed Sign: Old style sign using flashing lights used for variable speed limits on the West Gate Bridge (M1 / TD2) over the Yarra River. Sign has since been updated with an electronic version. Port Melbourne, November 2006. Image © Stuart Fox
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on the West Gate Bridge (M1 / TD2) at Port Melbourne for the Todd Road Interchange, January 2017. Click here for a photo by Darren Hodges of this location from June 2005. Image © Huang Milton Collection
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on the West Gate Bridge (M1 / TD2) at Port Melbourne for the Todd Road Interchange, January 2017. Click here for a photo by Darren Hodges of this location from June 2005. Image © Huang Milton Collection
	Melbourne CBD: Melbourne CBD and service centre viewed from the West Gate Bridge (M1 / TD2) at Port Melbourne, November 2006. Image © Stuart Fox
	Melbourne CBD: Melbourne CBD and service centre viewed from the West Gate Freeway (M1 / TD2) at Port Melbourne, November 2006. Image © Stuart Fox
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign at Port Melbourne approaching Todd Rd, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection
	Todd Road: West Gate Fwy (M1) at the Todd Rd interchange, Port Melbourne, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection
	Traffic Conditions Sign: Variable traffic conditions sign showing driving times to selected interchanges. Near the service centre at Port Melbourne, West Gate Fwy (M1 / TD2), November 2006. Image © Stuart Fox
	Intersection Directional Sign: ID sign assembly facing service centre traffic at Port Melbourne. Note the incorrect shaped and coloured TD 2 shield. November 2006. Image © Stuart Fox
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign at Port Melbourne approaching Citylink (MR43), January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection
	Salmon Street Overpass: Salmon St overpass at Port Melbourne, November 2006. Image © Stuart Fox
	CityLink Interchange: CityLink (MR43) off ramp onto West Gate Fwy (M1) at Port Melbourne. September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign approaching the Montague St (MR30) interchange, Port Melbourne. January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection
	Montague Street Interchange: West Gate Fwy (M1) at the Montague St (MR30) interchange at Port Melbourne. January 2017. The TD2 duplex ends at this interchange. Click here for a photo from November 2006 by Stuart Fox of the previous sign. Image © Huang Milton Collection
	Montague Street Interchange: West Gate Fwy (M1) at the Montague St (MR30) interchange at Port Melbourne. January 2017. The TD2 duplex ends at this interchange. Image © Huang Milton Collection
	Tunnel Height Restriction Sign: Tunnel height restriction sign on West Gate Fwy (M1) at South Wharf. September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Tunnel Height Restriction Sign: Tunnel height restriction sign on West Gate Fwy (M1) at South Wharf. September 2009. Click here for a photo from November 2006 by Stuart Fox of the previous sign. Image © Paul Rands
	Advance Directional Sign: AD sign on West Gate Fwy (M1) at Southbank, for the Power St Interchange, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Start CityLink Tollway 1km: Sign on West Gate Fwy (M1) indicating the beginning of the tolled CityLink Southern Link. January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection
	Supplemental Advance Directional Sign: Supplemental AD sign on West Gate Fwy (M1) at Southbank, approaching the Power St Interchange, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection
	Kings Way Interchange: West Gate Fwy (M1) at the Kings Way (ALT-NR1) interchange at Southbank, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Power Street Interchange: West Gate Fwy (M1) at the Power St Interchange, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection
	End West Gate Freeway: End West Gate Fwy (M1) and start CityLink at the entrance to the Burnley Tunnel at Southbank, January 2017. Image © Huang Milton Collection
	Burnley Tunnel: Inside the Burnley Tunnel (CityLink (M1)) at Southbank, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
	Burnley Tunnel: Inside the Burnley Tunnel (CityLink (M1)) at Richmond, September 2009. Image © Paul Rands
Click here for the continuation of M1 between Hawthorn and Mt Waverley Click here for the continuation of M1 between Geelong and Werribee

1 Viseth Uch
2 Vicroads Road Management Plan, 30 October 2004
3 Victoria's Virtual Library, Victorian Biography Resource Centre, West Gate Bridge
4 CityLink, About the CityLink Roadway
5 State Library of Victoria: Princes Highway West Geelong Road
6 Office of the Minister For Transport, Media Release, New Geelong Road Lanes Open For Australia Day Weekend, 24 January 2002
7 ABC News, The West Gate Bridge collapsed 50 years ago. Can similar tragedies be prevented?, 15 October 2020
7 Picture Victoria, 2001 West Gate Bridge Memorial Plaque
9 Heritage Victoria, Victorian Hertiage Database, Williamstown Steam Ferry Landing, Wharf Western Shore
10 Disaster At West Gate, The Disaster
11 CityLink, About the CityLink Roadway
12 Environment Protection Authority, Information Bulletin, CityLink Burnley Tunnel, Publication 738, Decemeber 2000, Page 1
13 Minister for Roads & Ports, Memorial to Commemorate West Gate Bridge Accident, 15 October 2007
14 Office of the Minister For Public Transport, Media Release, Work Begins on New $26.8M Road for Point Cook, 21 July, 2006

Last updated: 15-Oct-2020 14:44

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