View source for CityLink

{{Short description|Tollway network in Melbourne, Australia}}
{{other uses of|City Link}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox Australian road
| type = freeway
| road_name = CityLink
| city = [[Melbourne]]
| state = vic
| image = Aerial perspective of the Melbourne Star, the District and Docklands film studio.jpg
| image_upright =
| caption =
| image_alt =
| loc_caption =
| location_alt =
| length = 21
| length_rnd =
| length_ref =
| split = yes
| section1      = Western Link
| direction_a1 = North
| direction_b1 = South
| end_a1 = {{AUshield|VIC|M2}} '''[[Tullamarine Freeway]]'''<br />{{small|[[Strathmore, Victoria|Strathmore, Melbourne]]}}
| end_b1 = {{AUshield|VIC|M1|T|2}} '''[[West Gate Freeway]]'''<br />{{small|[[Port Melbourne|Port Melbourne, Melbourne]]}}
| exits1 = {{plainlist|
*{{AUshield|S|37}} [[Mount Alexander Road|Bulla Road]]
*{{AUshield|S|40}} [[State (Bell/Springvale) Highway|Bell Street]]
*{{AUshield|S|35}} [[Pascoe Vale Road]]
*{{AUshield|S|38}} Brunswick Road
*{{AUshield|S|60}} [[Flemington Road]]
*{{AUshield|S|83}} Racecourse Road
*{{AUshield|S|50}} Dynon Road
*{{AUshield|S|32}} [[Docklands Highway|Footscray Road]]
}}
| section2      = Southern Link
| direction_a2 = West
| direction_b2 = East
| end_a2 = {{AUshield|VIC|M1}} '''[[West Gate Freeway]]'''<br />{{small|[[Southbank, Victoria|Southbank, Melbourne]]}}
| end_b2 = {{AUshield|VIC|M1}} '''[[Monash Freeway]]'''<br />{{small|[[Kooyong, Victoria|Kooyong, Melbourne]]}}
| exits2 = {{plainlist|
*{{AUshield|R|ALT1|S|60}} [[Kings Way]]
*[[Yarra Bank Highway|Power Street]]
*{{AUshield|S|29}} [[Hoddle Highway|Punt Road]]
*{{AUshield|T|2}} [[Yarra Scenic Drive|Yarra Boulevard]]
*{{AUshield|S|26}} [[Burwood Highway|Toorak Road]]
}}
| section3      = Batman Avenue
| direction_a3 = Northwest
| direction_b3 = Southeast
| end_a3 = '''[[Exhibition Street]]'''<br />{{small|[[Melbourne]], Victoria}}
| end_b3 = {{AUshield|Toll|M1}} '''CityLink''' <br />{{small|[[Melbourne]], Victoria}}
| exits3 = {{plainlist|
*{{AUshield|S|30}} [[Flinders Street, Melbourne|Flinders Street]]
*{{AUshield|S|20}} [[Swan Street|Olympic Boulevard]]
}}
| est = 1999
| built_by =
| maintained = [[Transurban]]
| history = 
| route = {{plainlist|
*{{AUshield|Toll|M2}} M2 {{small|(2018–present)<br />(Western Link)}}
*{{AUshield|Toll|M1}} M1 {{small|(1999–present)<br />(Southern Link)}}
}}
| former = {{plainlist|
*{{AUshield|S|TOLL43}} Metro Route 43 {{small|(1999–2018)<br />(Western Link)}}
*{{AUshield|Toll|M1}} M1 {{small|(1999–2000)<br />(Batman Avenue: through Melbourne)}}
*{{AUshield|NR|79}} National Route 79 {{small|(1970–2013)<br />(Western Link: Strathmore–Travancore)}}
}}
| direction_a = Northwest
| direction_b = Southeast
| coordinates_a = {{coord|-37.735340|144.904473|type:landmark_region:AU-VIC|display=inline}}
| coordinates_b = {{coord|-37.844728|145.039619|type:landmark_region:AU-VIC|display=inline}}
| pushpin_label_position_a = left
| pushpin_label_position_b = right
| alternative_location_map=Australia Victoria metropolitan Melbourne
| region =
| lga =
| show_links = yes
}}

'''CityLink''' is a network of tollways in [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria, Australia]], linking the [[Tullamarine Freeway|Tullamarine]], [[West Gate Freeway|West Gate]] and [[Monash Freeway]]s and incorporating [[Bolte Bridge]], [[Burnley Tunnel]] and other works. In 1996, [[Transurban]] was awarded the contract to augment two existing freeways and construct two new toll roads – labelled the Western and Southern Links – directly linking a number of existing freeways to provide a continuous, high-capacity road route to, and around, the [[Melbourne central business district|central business district]]. CityLink uses a [[open road tolling|free-flow tolling]] [[electronic toll collection]] system, called [[e-TAG]]. CityLink is currently maintained by [[Transurban]].

==History==
The first mention of a southern and western inner city bypass was in the [[1969 Melbourne Transportation Plan]]. The plan advocated for reservations and set aside sinking funds for the new inner city freeway system. It was one of the few freeways connecting to the inner city (along with the [[Eastern Freeway, Melbourne|Eastern Freeway]] to [[Clifton Hill, Victoria|Clifton Hill]]) which was not later abandoned.

The proposal to build CityLink was first announced in May 1992 and received the State Government's formal approval in mid-1994. The contract was awarded in 1995 to the Transurban Consortium of [[Transfield Holdings]] and [[Obayashi Corporation]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.terraper.org/articles/WS%25205(1)%2520report%2520-%2520NT2.pdf |title=CityLink and Nam Theun 2: Infrastructure for private profit |author=Andrew Nette |publisher=terraper.org |access-date=17 July 2008}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> [[Transurban]] was formed in March 1996 to operate CityLink when completed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.transurban.com/about-us|title=About Us|website=[[Transurban]]|access-date=30 August 2021}}</ref> The total value of the project was estimated in 1996 at about $1.8 billion, and the [[Concession (contract)|concession]] to operate the road was initially due to expire in 2034.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/archive/paec/inquiries/infrastructureinvestment/Report/Private%20investment%20in%20public%20infrastructure.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924064521/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/archive/paec/inquiries/infrastructureinvestment/Report/Private%20investment%20in%20public%20infrastructure.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 September 2015 |author=Public Accounts and Estimates Committee |title=Report on private investment in public infrastructure |date=October 2006 |publisher=[[Government of Victoria]]|page=63 |isbn=978-0-9758189-1-6 |access-date=9 January 2012}}</ref> This concession was later extended, and is now due to expire in 2045.<ref name=abc_feb2019>{{cite news |last1=Willingham |first1=Richard |title=Government introduces laws to extend CityLink tolls until 2045 to fund West Gate Tunnel|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-20/citylink-road-tolls-extended-another-decade-in-parliament/10828440 |access-date=1 December 2019 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|date=20 February 2019 |language=en-AU}}</ref>

CityLink was built by the Transfield Obayashi joint venture under contract to Transurban between 1996 and 2000. The design and construction of the Western Link was subcontracted to [[Baulderstone|Baulderstone Hornibrook]], and the supply of the electronic tolling system was subcontracted to Translink Systems, a company jointly owned by Transfield Holdings and Transroute of France. The ongoing operation and maintenance of City Link was subcontracted by Transurban to Translink Operations, also jointly owned by Transfield and Transroute, which would manager the performance of CityLink assets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.roadtraffic-technology.com/projects/melbourne_citylink/|title=City Link|website=Road Traffic Technology|access-date=30 August 2021}}</ref> In May 1999, the operations were reorganised, with Transurban taking over the customer service operations from Translink Operations, who would retain responsibility for management of the tolling system, roadside assistance and maintenance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afr.com/politics/city-link-operations-reorganised-19990518-k8r3v|title=City Link operations reorganised|publisher=[[Australian Financial Review]]|date=18 May 1999|access-date=30 August 2021}}</ref>

The CityLink project was eight times larger than any other road project in Melbourne of that time. Toll plazas for manual tolling were deemed impractical, and delays associated with plaza operations would have decreased the advantages of using the new road. The decision to use only [[electronic toll collection]] was made in 1992; at a time when there was little practical experience of such systems.<ref>{{cite journal |author=M. G. Lay and K. F. Daley |date=July 2002 |title=The Melbourne City Link Project |journal=Transport Policy |volume=9 |issue=3 |pages=261–267 |doi=10.1016/S0967-070X(02)00020-3}}</ref> The first of the sections opened to traffic in 15 August 1999, with tolling commencing on 3 January 2000 before final completion occurred on 28 December 2000 with tolling commencing the same year.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060819013327/http://www.busnews.com.au/index.cfm?cp=archivelist&arch=august99 CityLink opens up] ''[[Australasian Bus & Coach]]'' 13 August 1999</ref><ref name=vr>{{cite web |url=http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/RoadsAndProjects/RoadProjects/InnerCity/CityLink/ProjectOverview.htm |title=Project Overview : CityLink |publisher=[[VicRoads]]|access-date=17 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723140627/http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/RoadsAndProjects/RoadProjects/InnerCity/CityLink/ProjectOverview.htm |archive-date=23 July 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

When CityLink opened in 1999, the Southern Link was signed as M1 and the Western Link was signed as Metropolitan Route 43. Metropolitan Route 43 previously terminated at the [[Tullamarine Freeway]]/[[Calder Highway|Calder Freeway]] interchange but it was extended along CityLink to end in [[Port Melbourne]]. Whilst National Route 79 officially remained part of the Western Link from the opening until 2013 (as the previous Tullamarine Freeway carried this designation from Calder Freeway to Flemington Road), CityLink signage did not show any National Route 79 signage and was exclusively signed as Metropolitan Route 43. With Victoria's conversion to the newer alphanumeric system in the late 1990s, Metropolitan Route 43 slowly began transition to M2 and was finally replaced with M2 in 2018. Despite this, a number of Metropolitan Route 43 shields remain visible to this day.

The passing of the ''Road Management Act 2004''<ref name="roadact">{{cite web|title=Road Management Act 2004 |url=https://content.legislation.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-08/04-12aa062%20authorised.pdf |publisher=Government of Victoria |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018233332/https://content.legislation.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-08/04-12aa062%20authorised.pdf |archivedate=18 October 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=19 October 2021 }}</ref> granted the responsibility of overall management and development of Victoria's major arterial roads to [[VicRoads]]. CityLink is a privately owned and operated tollway, but in June 2004, VicRoads became responsible for managing the CityLink concession contract and the state's assets (such as physical infrastructure including roads, bridges, tunnels and the tolling system operated by CityLink, due to be transferred to the state at the end of the concession period) under that contract, in an effort to improve the integration of CityLink with the rest of the road network.<ref name="VR05AR">{{cite news |url=https://vgls.sdp.sirsidynix.net.au/client/search/asset/1291527 |title=VicRoads Annual Report 2004-05 |newspaper=[[VicRoads]] |location=Melbourne |date=23 August 2005 |page=34 |publisher=Victorian Government Library Service}}</ref> Later in 2004, it re-declared the Tullamarine Freeway to terminate at [[Mount Alexander Road]] (sign-posted as Bulla Road) in [[Strathmore, Victoria|Strathmore]], south of [[Essendon Airport]]:<ref name="vicreg">{{cite web |author= |title=VicRoads – Register of Public Roads (Part A) 2015 |url=https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/-/media/files/documents/utilities/about-vr/acts-and-regulations/register-of-public-roads---part-a-v-2015.ashx?la=en&hash=116BE6FB86F506FF0B5BAFBEA45FCD6C |format=PDF |publisher=Government of Victoria |pages=17-8, 43-5, 788 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501042521/https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/-/media/files/documents/utilities/about-vr/acts-and-regulations/register-of-public-roads---part-a-v-2015.ashx?la=en&hash=116BE6FB86F506FF0B5BAFBEA45FCD6C |archivedate=1 May 2020 |url-status=live |access-date=19 October 2021 }}</ref> CityLink's Western Link officially begins east of this interchange in Strathmore, and ends with its interchange with [[West Gate Freeway]] in Port Melbourne. At the same time, VicRoads also re-declared the West Gate Freeway to terminate at Princes Highway East (today [[Princes Highway|Kings Way]]) in [[Southbank, Victoria|Southbank]], and the [[Monash Freeway]] to commence in [[Kooyong, Victoria|Kooyong]]:<ref name="vicreg" /> CityLink's Southern Link officially runs between these two points at Southbank and Kooyong.

==Infrastructure==
===Existing roads===
Previously, the city centre was served by three separate freeways:
*The [[Monash Freeway|South Eastern Freeway]] (today the Monash Freeway), which had begun approximately 2&nbsp;km south-east of the city, and connects Melbourne to the outlying rural [[Gippsland]] area;
*The [[Tullamarine Freeway]], which had begun approximately 5&nbsp;km north-west of the city, and links Melbourne to [[Melbourne Airport]], and also joins the [[Calder Freeway]], which links Melbourne to [[Bendigo]];
*The [[West Gate Freeway]] which began in [[Southbank, Victoria|Southbank]] in the city's south, crossed the Yarra River over the [[West Gate Bridge]] and joined to both the [[Princes Freeway]] (linking to [[Geelong]]) and the [[Western Ring Road]] in [[Laverton North]].

CityLink saw the linking of all three of these freeways: extending both the South Eastern and Tullamarine Freeways to join the West Gate Freeway. This also subsumed an existing portion of both the South Eastern and Tullamarine Freeways into the new project: while these portions were widened and upgraded, as part of the CityLink project they were also tolled, attracting criticism from road users.

===New roads===
====Western Link====
The elevated Western Link extended the existing Tullamarine Freeway, lengthening it to terminate it five kilometres further south at the West Gate Freeway in Port Melbourne, for a total distance of 12.9 km.<ref name="gmaps-wl">{{google maps |url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/-37.7353422,144.9044851/Port+Melbourne,+Victoria+3207/@-37.7801523,144.9067775,13.37z/data=!4m9!4m8!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x6ad6678eab8abe2d:0xe7a4206befa97531!2m2!1d144.9333625!2d-37.8260135!3e0 |title=CityLink (Western link) |accessdate=26 October 2021}}</ref> It included a new major bridge (the [[Bolte Bridge]], named after former [[Premier of Victoria|Victorian Premier]] Sir [[Henry Bolte]]) over the [[Yarra River]] in the [[Docklands, Victoria|Docklands]] district; a long elevated section over [[Dudley Flats]] and [[Moonee Ponds Creek]] and a tube-like [[Noise barrier|sound barrier]] in [[Flemington, Victoria|Flemington]] where the road passes close to a number of community housing towers. A short distance to the north of the sound tube, a massive sculptural work was placed, called the [[The Cheese Stick|Melbourne International Gateway]], consisting of a giant yellow beam hanging diagonally across the road (nicknamed the "Cheesestick") and a row of smaller red beams alongside the road (the "Zipper", or "rack of lamb"). The existing portion of Tullamarine Freeway between Flemington Road and Bulla Road was subsumed into the Western Link, and was also widened, with a [[transit lane]] being added in each direction between Flemington Road and Pascoe Vale Road.

This section of Freeway was originally designated in the [[1969 Melbourne Transportation Plan]] as part of the F14 Freeway Corridor.

====Southern Link====
The underground Southern Link directly connects the ends of the West Gate and Monash Freeways into one continuous through-way, for a total distance of 8.0 km.<ref name="gmaps-sl">{{google maps |url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/-37.8274578,144.9621/Kooyong,+Victoria+3144/@-37.8323538,144.984913,14.45z/data=!4m9!4m8!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x6ad6421a69e3ec1b:0xdb645bab841eac97!2m2!1d145.0396718!2d-37.8447339!3e0 |title=CityLink (Southern link) |accessdate=26 October 2021}}</ref> This link comprises the [[Burnley Tunnel|Burnley]] and [[Domain Tunnel]]s which pass under the [[Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria|Royal Botanic Gardens]] and the Yarra River, each tunnel channelling traffic in different directions. The existing portion of South Eastern Freeway between Toorak Road and Batman Avenue was subsumed into the Southern Link, and was also widened.

This section of Freeway was shown in the 1969 Melbourne Transportation Plan as part of the F9 Freeway corridor as a surface-level road.

====Batman Avenue====
The Exhibition Street Extension – not a part of the initial project, as it had been promoted as a bypass that would keep cars out of the [[Melbourne central business district|CBD]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ptua.org.au/myths/bypass.shtml |author=Public Transport Users Association |title=Myth: The purpose of freeways is to bypass congested areas |publisher=ptua.org.au |access-date=17 July 2008}}</ref> – consisted of a new four-lane, divided road extending south from the intersection of [[Flinders Street, Melbourne|Flinders]] and [[Exhibition Street]]s in the [[Melbourne central business district|CBD]] and spanning the [[Jolimont Yard|Jolimont rail yards]] to connect with Batman Avenue near [[Melbourne Park]] Tennis Centre. Construction was managed by [[VicRoads]] on behalf of the [[Department of Infrastructure (Victoria)|Department of Infrastructure]] and began in November 1997, for a total distance of 1.9 km<ref name="gmaps-ba">{{google maps |url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/-37.8271368,144.9861695/-37.8160289,144.9722508/@-37.8161479,144.9719618,21z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0?hl=en |title=Batman Avenue |accessdate=19 December 2021}}</ref> completed to coincide with the opening of CityLink.<ref name="VR99AR">{{cite news |url=https://vgls.sdp.sirsidynix.net.au/client/search/asset/1292618 |title=VicRoads Annual Report 1998-99 |newspaper=[[VicRoads]] |location=Melbourne |date=30 August 1999 |page=27 |publisher=Victorian Government Library Service}}</ref> The alignment of Batman Avenue, previously following the northern bank of the Yarra River north of [[Swan Street]] to terminate at [[Swanston Street]] just north of [[Princes Bridge]], was re-routed to follow this new road; the [[Melbourne tram route 70|route 70]] tram, previously using this alignment, was also re-routed to run on a dedicated median behind the Melbourne Park complex and re-join the new road before it crossed the rail lines,<ref name=vr /> commencing along this new route from 7 June 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yarratrams.com.au/media/43839/tramroutenumbers.pdf |title=History of Melbourne Trams Routes from 1950 to 2009 |publisher=[[Yarra Trams]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226023218/http://www.yarratrams.com.au/media/43839/tramroutenumbers.pdf |date=16 October 2009 |archive-date=26 February 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was officially opened as Batman Avenue on 1 November 1999;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.transurban.com.au/transurban_online/tu_nav_black.nsf/v/EDF0EFBB1424C643CA25707400322082/%24file/20-MEDIA-ExhibitionStreetExtensionOpening-26October99.pdf |title=Exhibition Street Extension Opening |date=26 October 1999 |publisher=transurban.com.au |access-date=17 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720082613/http://www.transurban.com.au/transurban_online/tu_nav_black.nsf/v/EDF0EFBB1424C643CA25707400322082/%24file/20-MEDIA-ExhibitionStreetExtensionOpening-26October99.pdf |archive-date=20 July 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref> the former alignment is now a pedestrianised walking track. Costing $30 million, the access road was built as part of CityLink and therefore attracts tolls.<ref name="VR99AR" />

== CityLink–Tulla Widening (2015–2018) ==

=== Project overview ===
[[File:Citylink upgrade at Bell Street, October 2016.jpg|thumb|New ramp under construction at Bell Street as part of the CityLink Tulla Widening Project (2016)]]
The freeway had extensive upgrades between 2015 and 2018, including the addition of lanes as part of the CityLink Tulla Widening Project.

=== Original proposal (2014) ===
The original project was announced in April 2014 by Premier [[Denis Napthine]] as an unsolicited proposal by [[Transurban]], with Transurban providing the bulk of the funds for the upgrade.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Johnston|first1=Matt|last2=Campbell|first2=James|title=Victorian election 2014: $250m Tullamarine Freeway boom|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria-state-election-2014/victorian-election-2014-250m-tullamarine-freeway-boom/news-story/6022891dfe3ddeb64449ceb7799fb7dd|website=Herald Sun|access-date=2 October 2016|date=2014-11-07}}</ref> The original design would have involved the widening of the entire Western Link of Citylink up to Bulla Road (Stage 1) and the Tullamarine Freeway from Bulla Road to Melrose Drive (Stage 2). In addition, Transurban's tolling concession was extended by a year, to 2035.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Willingham|first1=Richard|title=Tullamarine Freeway, CityLink to be expanded under $850m plan|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/tullamarine-freeway-citylink-to-be-expanded-under-850m-plan-20140427-zr0oz.html|website=[[The Age]]|access-date=2 October 2016|date=2014-04-28}}</ref> Work on the original upgrade was expected to commence construction early–mid 2015, and was expected for completion by early–mid 2018.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Cowie|first1=Tom|title=CityLink and Tullamarine Freeway $1.3 billion widening to start|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/citylink-and-tullamarine-freeway-13-billion-widening-to-start-20151005-gk1bsg.html|website=The Age|access-date=2 October 2016|date=2015-10-05}}</ref> The original project was designed to complement the former [[East West Link (Melbourne)|East West Link]] project which was cancelled after [[Daniel Andrews]] won government at the [[2014 Victorian state election|State election in November 2014]]. This led to the original project being postponed and modified.

=== Final proposal (2015–2018) ===
In August 2015 a new proposal to widen the Citylink and Tullamarine Freeways was put into action by the recently elected Premier [[Daniel Andrews]]. The project consists of two stages which would increase the road's daily capacity as well as shorten trips between Melbourne Airport and the CBD during morning peak and afternoon peak times.{{Citation needed|date=February 2017}} The following upgrades started in October 2015 (Stage 1) and May 2016 (Stage 2).{{Citation needed|date=February 2017}} The entire project is completed by late 2018.{{Citation needed|date=February 2017}}
 
The upgrade involves the construction of a new lane in each direction from [[Melbourne Airport]] to Power Street, upgrades to the [[State (Bell/Springvale) Highway|Bell Street]], [[Flemington Road]], English Street and Mickleham Road intersections, and the creation of a dedicated lane between the Calder and Tullamarine Freeways to Bell Street, to reduce [[Grade separation#Weaving|weaving]]. Speed limits will be lowered on parts of the freeway during construction work, and after construction, as a result of lane narrowing. The project will also install an electronic freeway management system, involving CCTV cameras, a variable speed limit, and electronic message signs.

Controversy has arisen due to the proximity of Strathmore Secondary College to the new ramp at Bell Street.<ref>{{cite web|title=Strathmore school says CityLink Tulla project a risk to health and safety|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/strathmore-school-says-citylink-tulla-project-a-risk-to-health-and-safety-20160205-gmn4z3.html|website=The Age|access-date=2 October 2016|date=2016-02-07}}</ref> The removal of a tree as part of the Flemington Road intersection upgrade also resulted in public protest.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Allaoui|first1=Therese|last2=Savino|first2=Natalie|title=Parkville lemon-scented gum tree on Flemington Road set to be chopped down|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/parkville-lemonscented-gum-tree-on-flemington-road-set-to-be-chopped-down/news-story/c659bf7c5c209f50122c68d561471dc5|date=2016-07-26}}</ref>

==== Stage 1 (Bulla Road to Power Street) ====
* Lane use management signs to manage which lanes are open
* Variable speed limit signs above all lanes
* Ramp signalling – stop and go traffic lights to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion as traffic enters the freeway from on-ramps
* CCTV cameras – to monitor for incidents, help response times and minimise disruptions
* Travel time information signs so people can plan their journey
* Electronic message signs – to notify road users of planned changes or disruptions
* Automatic incident detection system – to alert road managers of incidents in real time
* Two dedicated lanes inbound to Bell Street from the Tullamarine Freeway and Calder Freeway
* New Bell Street to Pascoe Vale Road
* Improvements to Flemington Road/ Mount Alexander Road Freeway Interchange
* Additional outbound lane between Moreland and Ormond Road
* Ramp widening between Bolte Bridge and West Gate Freeway
* One additional inbound lane between Montague Street and Ingles Street
* One additional inbound lane between Montague Street and Power Street

==== Stage 2 (Melbourne Airport to Bulla Road) ====
* A new structure with dedicated lanes from the Tullamarine Freeway and Mickleham Road to the M80 Ring Road inbound to ease congestion and reduce traffic weaving {{Citation needed|date=February 2017}}
* An extra lane entering the Tullamarine Freeway city bound from Mickleham Road {{Citation needed|date=February 2017}}
* Reconstruction and widening of the English Street overpass and all ramps to increase capacity into and out of Essendon Fields {{Citation needed|date=February 2017}}
* Ramp signals on the city bound entry from Kings Road in Taylors Lakes to the Tulla Calder interchange to regulate the flow of traffic getting onto the Tullamarine Freeway from the Calder Freeway {{Citation needed|date=February 2017}}

==== Extra lanes ====
Part of the upgrade is adding more lanes between Melbourne Airport and the West Gate Freeway. Between the Citylink (Western Link) and the West Gate Freeway, one additional lane in each direction will be added consuming the current emergency lanes as well as lower the current speed limit from 100&nbsp;km/h down to 80&nbsp;km/h.

== Tolling system ==
{{see also|e-TAG}}
There are no toll booths along the entire length of the system, so traffic flow is not impeded.

CityLink uses a [[DSRC]] toll system called [[e-TAG]], where an electronic transponder is mounted on the inside of vehicles' windscreens. Gantries constructed over each carriageway record registration plates and detect the e-TAGs, and deduct toll amounts automatically from the account linked electronically to each tag. Where a tag is not detected, the vehicle's registration is recorded using an [[automatic number plate recognition]] system and checked against a database. For infrequent use of the system one can buy a Daypass – by phone, online, at any [[Australia Post]] outlet or at participating service stations. A Daypass can be bought in advance or afterwards (until midnight three days later). If payment has not been made, the vehicle's registered owner will be sent a late toll invoice in the mail, and if the late toll invoice is then not paid a fine will be issued by [[Civic Compliance Victoria]].

In 2018 CityLink tolling accounts were rebranded as [[Linkt]],<ref name="link_Your">{{Cite web| title = Your CityLink account is now Linkt - Linkt| work = linkt.com.au | access-date = 19 May 2019| url = https://www.linkt.com.au/melbourne/using-toll-roads/news/your-citylink-account-is-now-linkt}}</ref> as part of parent company Transurban combining their existing retail brands.<ref name="beha_Tran">{{Cite web| title = Transurban Linkt brand identity| work = Behance| date = June 2017| access-date = 19 May 2019| url = https://www.behance.net/gallery/53469271/Transurban-Linkt-brand-identity| language = en}}</ref>

The concession period held by Transurban is due to end in 2045, after which the ownership of the road will be transferred to the state. It was originally due to end in January 2035, but was extended as part of a deal with Transurban to build the [[West Gate Tunnel]] project.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/publications/research-papers/download/36-research-papers/13949-north-east-link-bill-2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830012053/https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/publications/research-papers/download/36-research-papers/13949-north-east-link-bill-2020|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 August 2021|title=North East Link Bill 2020 - Research Paper|website=Parliament of Victoria|access-date=30 August 2021}}</ref><ref name=abc_feb2019/>

===Toll points===
Multiple toll points are located along the CityLink, with each toll point charging a fixed fee.<ref name=calculator>{{cite web|url=https://www.linkt.com.au/using-toll-roads/toll-calculator/melbourne|title=Melbourne toll calculator|website=Linkt|access-date=2 December 2021}}</ref> The CityLink toll points also include the toll point at the [[Exhibition Street]] extension (Batman Avenue). The total toll incurred per trip is the smaller of the trip cap or the total price of toll points passed through.

The entry and exit ramps of CityLink (excluding West Gate Freeway) have been constructed in a way that travelling on any section of CityLink will always pass through at least one toll point. The only exception is eastbound travel between Punt Road and Church Street, which does not pass through a toll point and hence does not incur any tolls.<ref name=calculator/>

{{hatnote|This table is an excerpt from [[Toll roads in Australia]]}}
{{#section:Toll roads in Australia|header_vic}}
{{#section:Toll roads in Australia|citylink}}
{{#section:Toll roads in Australia|footer_vic}}

==Exits and Interchanges==
===Western Link===
{{AUSinttop|exit
|location_ref=<ref name="vicreg" /><ref name="gmaps-wl" /><ref name="gmaps-sl" />|length_ref=<ref name="gmaps-wl" /><ref name="gmaps-sl" />|exit_ref=<ref name="exits">As signposted</ref>}}
{{VICint|exit
|LGAC=Moonee Valley
|LGAspan=2
|location_special=Essendon Fields–Essendon North–[[Strathmore, Victoria|Strathmore]] tripoint
|lspan=2
|km=0.0
|uspan=2
|exit=12
|espan=2
|type=trans
|road={{AUshield|VIC|M2|+|airport}} [[Tullamarine Freeway]] (M2) - [[Tullamarine]], [[Melbourne Airport, Victoria|Melbourne Airport]]
|notes=Western Link's northern terminus: continues north-west as Tullamarine Freeway
}}
{{VICint
|km=none
|road={{AUshield|S|37}} [[Mount Alexander Road|Bulla Road]] (Metro Route 37 south, unallocated north){{VICcity|p=on|Essendon|Moonee Ponds}}
|notes=
}}
{{VICint|exit
|LGAC=Merri-bek
|LGAspan=4
|location=Strathmore
|type=incomplete
|km=2.0
|exit=11
|espan=2
|road={{AUshield|S|35}} [[Pascoe Vale Road]] (Metro Route 35){{VICcity|p=on|Glenroy|Moonee Ponds}}
|notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance
}}
{{VICint
|location=Pascoe Vale South
|type=incomplete
|km=2.6
|road={{AUshield|S|40}} [[State (Bell/Springvale) Highway|Bell Street]] (Metro Route 40){{VICcity|p=on|Coburg|Heidelberg}}
|notes=Southbound exit and northbound entrance
}}
{{VICint|exit
|location_special=Pascoe Vale South–[[Brunswick West]] boundary
|type=incomplete
|km=4.4
|exit=10
|road=Coonans Road (north){{VICcity|p=on|Pascoe Vale South}}<br />Moreland Road (east, west){{VICcity|p=on|Coburg|Essendon}}
|notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance
}}
{{VICint|exit
|location=Brunswick West
|km=5.2
|type=toll
|place=Toll Point
}}
{{VICint|exit
|LGA=Merri-bek–[[City of Moonee Valley|Moonee Valley]] boundary
|location_special=Brunswick West–[[Moonee Ponds]] boundary
|type=incomplete
|km=6.8
|exit=9
|road={{AUshield|S|38}} Brunswick Road (Metro Route 38 east){{VICcity|p=on|Brunswick}}<br />{{AUshield|S|38}} Ormond Road (Metro Route 38 west){{VICcity|p=on|Moonee Ponds|Maribyrnong}}
|notes=Southbound exit and northbound entrance
}}
{{VICint|exit
|LGA=Moonee Valley–[[City of Melbourne|Melbourne]] boundary
|LGAspan=2
|location_special=[[Travancore, Victoria|Travancore]]–[[Parkville, Victoria|Parkville]]–[[Flemington, Victoria|Flemington]]–[[North Melbourne, Victoria|North Melbourne]] [[quadripoint]]
|type=incomplete
|km=8.3
|exit=7
|road={{AUshield|S|60}} [[Flemington Road, Melbourne|Flemington Road]] (Metro Route 60){{VICcity|p=on|Flemington}}, [[Melbourne central business district|City]]<br />Boundary Road (south){{VICcity|p=on|North Melbourne}}
|notes=Southbound exit and northbound entrance
}}
{{VICint|exit
|location_special=Flemington–North Melbourne–[[Kensington, Victoria|Kensington]] [[tripoint]]
|type=incomplete
|km=8.6
|exit=6
|road={{AUshield|S|83}} Racecourse Road (Metro Route 83){{VICcity|p=on|Parkville|Flemington}}
|notes=Northbound exit and southbound entrance
}}
{{VICint|exit
|LGAC=Melbourne
|LGAspan=9
|location_special=North Melbourne–[[Kensington, Victoria|Kensington]] boundary
|km=9.4
|type=toll
|place=Toll Point
}}
{{VICint|exit
|location=West Melbourne
|type=incomplete
|km=10.4
|exit=5
|road={{AUshield|S|50}} Dynon Road (Metro Route 50){{VICcity|p=on|Footscray|West Melbourne}}
|notes=Southbound exit and northbound entrance
}}
{{VICint|exit
|location_special=West Melbourne–[[Docklands, Victoria|Docklands]] boundary
|lspan=2
|km=11
|uspan=2
|exit=3
|road={{AUshield|S|32}} [[Docklands Highway|Footscray Road]] (Metro Route 32){{VICcity|p=on|Footscray|Docklands}}
|notes=
}}
{{VICint|exit
|type=unbuilt
|km=none
|exit=4
|road={{AUshield|Toll|M4}}{{AUshield|+|airport}} ''[[West Gate Tunnel]]{{VICcity|p=on|Geelong}}, [[Avalon Airport]]''
|notes=''Southbound exit and northbound entrance, under construction as part of [[West Gate Tunnel]] project''
}}
{{VICint|exit
|location=Docklands
|km=11.7
|type=toll
|place=Toll Point
}}
{{Jctbridge|exit
|location_special=[[Yarra River]]
|km=11.8
|km2=12.3
|bridge=[[Bolte Bridge]]
}}
{{VICint|exit
|location=Port Melbourne
|lspan=3
|km=12.9
|uspan=3
|exit=2A<br />2B
|type=incomplete
|road={{AUshield|S|30|S|55}} Montague Street (Metro Routes 30/55) – [[South Melbourne]], [[Docklands, Victoria|Docklands]]<br />{{AUshield|R|ALT1}} [[Princes Highway|Kings Way]] (Alt National Route 1){{VICcity|p=on|St Kilda|Frankston}}
|notes=Southbound exit only
}}
{{VICint|exit
|km=none
|type=incomplete
|road=Cook Street – [[Port Melbourne]]<br />Salmon Street – [[Port Melbourne]]
|notes=Northbound entrance to the east only
}}
{{VICint|exit
|exit=1
|km=none
|type=trans
|road={{AUshield|VIC|M1|T|2}} [[West Gate Freeway]] (M1/Tourist Drive 2) – [[Laverton North]], [[Southbank, Victoria|Southbank]]
|notes=Western Link's southern terminus at trumpet interchange; signed as Exits 1E and 1W
}}
{{jctbtm|exit|keys=incomplete,toll,trans,unbuilt}}

=== Southern Link ===
{{AUSinttop|exit
|location_ref=<ref name="vicreg" /><ref name="gmaps-wl" /><ref name="gmaps-sl" />|length_ref=<ref name="gmaps-wl" /><ref name="gmaps-sl" />|exit_ref=<ref name="exits" />}}
{{VICint|exit
|LGAC=Melbourne
|LGAspan=7
|location=Southbank
|lspan=3
|km=13
|uspan=3
|type=trans
|road={{AUshield|VIC|M1|+|airport}} [[West Gate Freeway]] (M1){{VICcity|p=on|Ballarat|Bendigo|Geelong}}, [[Melbourne Airport|Melbourne]] and [[Avalon Airport|Avalon]] Airports
|notes=Southern Link's western terminus: continues west as [[West Gate Freeway]]
}}
{{VICint|exit
|exit=W2
|km=none
|type=incomplete
|road={{AUshield|R|ALT1|S|60}} [[Princes Highway|Kings Way]] (Alt National Route 1 south, Metro Route 60 north) – [[Melbourne central business district|City]],  -[[St Kilda, Victoria|St Kilda]], [[Dandenong]]
|notes=Westbound exit and eastbound entrance only
}}
{{VICint|exit
|exit=W1
|km=none
|type=incomplete
|road=[[Yarra Bank Highway|Power Street]] – [[Melbourne central business district|City]]
|notes=Westbound and eastbound exit only
}}
{{Jcttunnel|exit
|location_special=[[Yarra River]]
|lspan=2
|tunnel=[[Burnley Tunnel]] eastbound / [[Domain Tunnel]] westbound
}}
{{VICint|exit
|km=14.8
|type=toll
|place=Toll Point (westbound into Domain Tunnel only)
}}
{{VICint|exit
|location_special=[[Melbourne central business district|Melbourne]]
|lspan=2
|type=incomplete
|km=14.9
|uspan=2
|exit=E1
|espan=2
|road=[[Batman Avenue]] – [[Melbourne central business district|City]]
|notes=Westbound exit from and eastbound entrance to Batman Avenue Extension carriageway
}}
{{VICint
|km=none
|type=toll
|place=Toll Point (westbound exit and eastbound entrance only)
}}
{{VICint|exit
|LGA=Melbourne–[[City of Yarra|Yarra]] boundary
|location_special=Melbourne–[[Cremorne, Victoria|Cremorne]] boundary
|LGAspan=2
|lspan=2
|type=incomplete
|exit=E2
|espan=2
|km=15.1
|uspan=2
|road={{AUshield|S|29}} [[Hoddle Highway|Punt Road]] (Metro Route 29){{VICcity|p=on|Richmond}}
|notes=Westbound exit only, eastbound entrance via Harcourt Parade to Batman Avenue Extension carriageway
}}
{{VICint
|km=none
|type=toll
|place=Toll Point (westbound exit only)
}}
{{VICint|exit
|LGAC=Yarra
|LGAspan=8
|location_special=Cremorne–[[Richmond, Victoria|Richmond]] boundary
|lspan=2
|type=incomplete
|km=15.5
|road=Cremorne Street{{VICcity|p=on|Cremorne}}
|notes=Eastbound entrance to Batman Avenue Extension carriageway only
}}
{{VICint|exit
|type=incomplete
|km=16.1
|road=Church Street{{VICcity|p=on|Richmond}}
|notes=Eastbound exit from Batman Avenue Extension carriageway only
}}
{{VICint|exit
|location=Richmond
|lspan=2
|type=toll
|km=16.5
|place=Toll Point (eastbound on Batman Avenue Extension carriageway only)
}}
{{VICint|exit
|type=toll
|km=17.0
|place=Toll Point (eastbound out of Burnley Tunnel only)
}}
{{VICint|exit
|location=Burnley
|lspan=4
|type=incomplete
|km=17.1
|uspan=2
|exit=E3
|espan=3
|road=Burnley Street (north){{VICcity|p=on|Richmond}}<br />Barkly Avenue (east){{VICcity|p=on|Burnley}}
|notes=Westbound entrance (via Gibdon Street) and eastbound exits only
}}
{{Jctplace|
|km=none
|place=Batman Avenue Extension eastbound carriageway merges with Burnley Tunnel eastbound carriageway
}}
{{VICint
|type=incomplete
|km=17.8
|road={{AUshield|T|2}} [[Yarra Scenic Drive|Yarra Boulevard]] (Tourist Drive 2){{VICcity|p=on|Richmond|Kew}}
|notes=Westbound exit and eastbound entrance
}}
{{VICint|exit
|type=toll
|km=18.4
|place=Toll Point
}}
{{VICint|exit
|LGAC=Stonnington
|LGAspan=2
|location_special=[[Kooyong, Victoria|Kooyong]]–[[Malvern, Victoria|Malvern]] boundary
|lspan=2
|km=21.0
|uspan=2
|espan=2
|exit=E4
|road={{AUshield|S|26}} [[Burwood Highway|Toorak Road]] (Metro Route 26){{VICcity|p=on|Burwood|Toorak}}
|notes=[[Single-point urban interchange]]
}}
{{VICint
|km=none
|type=trans
|road={{AUshield|VIC|M1}} [[Monash Freeway]] (M1){{VICcity|p=on|Chadstone|Dandenong|Narre Warren|Pakenham}}
|notes=Southern Link's eastern terminus, continues southeast as [[Monash Freeway]]
}}
{{jctbtm|exit|keys=incomplete,toll,trans}}

===Batman Avenue===
Batman Avenue is entirely contained within the [[City of Melbourne]] [[local government area]].
{{AUSinttop|noLGA=yes|location_ref=<ref name="gmaps-ba" />|length_ref=<ref name="gmaps-ba" />}}
{{VICint
|location_special=[[Melbourne central business district|Melbourne CBD]]
|lspan=8
|km=0.0
|uspan=2
|type=trans
|road=[[Exhibition Street]] – [[Melbourne central business district|City]], {{VICcity|Carlton}}
|notes=Western terminus of road: continues north as Exhibition Street
}}
{{VICint
|km=none
|road={{AUshield|S|30}} [[Flinders Street, Melbourne|Flinders Street]] (Metro Route 30){{VICcity|p=on|Docklands|Richmond}}
|notes=
}}
{{VICint
|km=0.1
|bridge=''[[Hurstbridge railway line|Hurstbridge]], [[Mernda railway line|Mernda]], [[Lilydale railway line|Lilydale]], [[Belgrave railway line|Belgrave]], [[Glen Waverley railway line|Glen Waverley]], [[Sandringham railway line|Sandringham]], [[Frankston railway line|Frankston]], [[Pakenham railway line|Pakenham]] and [[Cranbourne railway line|Cranbourne]] railway lines''
|notes=
}}
{{VICint
|km=0.4
|road=Tennis Centre Access Road
|notes=Access to [[Melbourne Park]] only
}}
{{VICint
|km=0.6
|type=toll
|place=Toll Point
}}
{{VICint
|type=incomplete
|km=1.0
|road={{AUshield|S|20}} [[Swan Street|Olympic Boulevard]] (Metro Route 20){{VICcity|p=on|Southbank|Burnley}}
|notes=No right turn northbound into Olympic Boulevard eastbound
}}
{{VICint
|km=1.9
|uspan=2
|type=toll
|place=Toll Point (at both westbound entrance and eastbound exit)
}}
{{VICint
|km=none
|type=trans
|road={{AUshield|Toll|M1}} CityLink (M1){{VICcity|p=on|Kooyong|Chadstone|Narre Warren}}
|notes=Eastern terminus of road: continues southeast as Southern Link's Batman Avenue Extension carriageway
}}
{{jctbtm|keys=incomplete,toll,trans}}

== Controversies ==
As part of the development of CityLink, portions of existing roads were subsumed into the CityLink project: while they too were upgraded and expanded, tolling points were also added. Toll charges now apply to the former Monash Freeway between Toorak Road and Punt Road, and the former Tullamarine Freeway south of Bulla Road. Previously public roads, they did not incur tolls to use before.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/stories/s140096.htm |title=ABC Radio 'The World Today' – 'Melbourne drivers object to CityLink' – Wednesday, 14&nbsp;June |website=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |access-date=2 August 2007}}</ref>

Some nearby roads were altered to restrict [[rat run]]s to stop people using neighbourhood back streets as short cuts to avoid the toll.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/MediaRelArc02.nsf/17ed9415cb17e3d34a25682500254734/da8d0874ce7f98744a25696200099049!OpenDocument&Click= |title=Minister of Transport media release – 'Data Shows Improvement in City Link Traffic Flow' |date=21 September 2000 |access-date=2 August 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928015746/http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/MediaRelArc02.nsf/17ed9415cb17e3d34a25682500254734/da8d0874ce7f98744a25696200099049%21OpenDocument%26Click%3D |archive-date=28 September 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Some people have viewed this as local councils 'forcing' people to use CityLink.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vcec.vic.gov.au/CA256EAF001C7B21/WebObj/Submission77-MooneeValleyCityCouncil/$File/Submission%2077%20-%20Moonee%20Valley%20City%20Council.pdf |title=Inquiry into Managing Transport Congestion by Moonee Valley City Council |date=4 January 2006 |access-date=12 August 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830175125/http://www.vcec.vic.gov.au/CA256EAF001C7B21/WebObj/Submission77-MooneeValleyCityCouncil/%24File/Submission%2077%20-%20Moonee%20Valley%20City%20Council.pdf |archive-date=30 August 2007 |df=dmy }}</ref>

CityLink account holders can, if they make multiple trips in a day, pay more to use the road than a casual user. A 24-hour Pass, for example, is charged at a flat rate, but an account holder pays per trip. Account holders who make multiple trips in a single day may pay more than a pass customer would. However, CityLink recognises this and account customers can remove their e-TAG device and buy a pass for the day: just like casual customers. However, there is a limit to the number of passes that can be bought each 12 months. This limit applies to account holders and casual users.<ref>[http://www.citylink.com.au/209.jsp CityLink – Types of Passes] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070117175229/http://www.citylink.com.au/209.jsp |date=17 January 2007 }}</ref>

The contract between the government and CityLink's owner Transurban has protections for both parties. One of these is the ability for Transurban to make a claim against the state government if the state government does something that reduces the number of cars that could use CityLink. In 2001 Transurban commenced legal proceedings against the State of Victoria over the construction of [[Wurundjeri Way]] through the [[Docklands, Victoria|Docklands]]. It was alleged that this 'free' road was competing with CityLink and causing it to earn less revenue.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dtf.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/MediaRelArc02.nsf/ebfd7a9e83f839b34a2568110023b2e3/5cbd5463c03ddc004a256a030017c1f4!OpenDocument&Click= |title=Minister of Transport media release – 'Transurban Claim of $35 Million' |date=1 March 2001 |access-date=12 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207213602/http://www.dtf.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/MediaRelArc02.nsf/ebfd7a9e83f839b34a2568110023b2e3/5cbd5463c03ddc004a256a030017c1f4%21OpenDocument%26Click%3D |archive-date=7 February 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> This can potentially also be applied if the capacity of other roads or rail routes parallel to CityLink are expanded,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Kenneth-Davidson/Tollway-buyback-would-save-money-and-ease-traffic/2005/02/02/1107228766073.html |title=Tollway buyback would save money and ease traffic|website=The Age|access-date=12 August 2007 |location=Melbourne |date=3 February 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/04/28/1083103547962.html |title=Bracks freeway folly will cost us dearly|website=The Age|access-date=12 August 2007 |location=Melbourne |date=29 April 2004}}</ref> however the contract specifically excludes compensation if the metropolitan rail network is [[Melbourne Airport Rail Link|extended to Melbourne Airport]].<ref>[http://www.ptua.org.au/myths/citylink/ PTUA: Myth: We can’t have airport trains because the Citylink contract forbids it]</ref>

CityLink received negative media coverage when it was wrongly claimed that CityLink account holders' credit card details were stored on Transurban's public webserver and that someone had broken into the system and stolen tens of thousands of customers details. Customer details were stolen, not by an intruder via the web, but by a former employee who had misused access to the secure IT systems.<ref>[http://www.transurban.com.au/transurban_online/tu_nav_black.nsf/childdocs/-011AFA26C23AD6AECA256F3F00252C10-3DF0F41D5D84DDDECA256F3F00252C12-170EE0914001FBD2CA25703F00193D18?open Transurban – Media release issued 5 Dec 2002 ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903164129/http://www.transurban.com.au/transurban_online/tu_nav_black.nsf/childdocs/-011AFA26C23AD6AECA256F3F00252C10-3DF0F41D5D84DDDECA256F3F00252C12-170EE0914001FBD2CA25703F00193D18?open |date=3 September 2006 }}</ref>

The two CityLink tunnels have regularly featured as discussion points on talkback radio, firstly for air quality. In the early days of operation, the air quality in the tunnels appeared smoggy. CityLink worked a way around the problem by adjusting the venting system which improved quality and dispersed exhaust fumes more effectively.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110604060101/http://www.citylink.com.au/files/CL_Tunnel_Brochure.pdf CityLink – Tunnel Brochure]</ref> The second issue was regarding the use of massive quantities of fresh drinking water pumped into the system to stabilise the tunnel environs. After some time, CityLink sought and obtained approval from the State Government to build a water recycling plant which meant they could rely primarily on recycled, and not drinking, water.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070829122219/http://www.citylink.com.au/files/CityLink_-_using_water_wisely_brochure_Nov05.pdf CityLink – Using Water Wisely Brochure]</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Australian Roads}}
* [[Freeways in Australia]]
* [[Freeways in Australia#Melbourne region (Urban Freeways)|Freeways in Melbourne]]
* [[Road transport in Victoria]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|CityLink}}

* {{Official website | https://www.linkt.com.au/melbourne | Linkt's official website}}
* {{Official website | http://www.transurban.com.au/ | Transurban official website}}
* {{Official website | http://citylinktullawidening.vic.gov.au |Citylink Tulla widening official website}}

{{Road infrastructure in Melbourne}}
{{Melbourne landmarks}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:CityLink}}
[[Category:Highways and freeways in Melbourne]]
[[Category:Toll roads in Australia]]
[[Category:Transport in the City of Melbourne (LGA)]]
[[Category:1999 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Highway 1 (Australia)]]
[[Category:Transport in the City of Stonnington]]
[[Category:Transport in the City of Yarra]]
[[Category:Transport in the City of Moonee Valley]]
[[Category:Transport in the City of Merri-bek]]