Melbourne Western Distributor works begin

Work has begun on the $5.5 billion Western Distributor toll road in Melbourne.

The government announced on Friday that design works were underway on the new road - which is a dedicated link for trucks to access Bolte Bridge, removing an estimated 6000 trucks from the clogged West Gate Bridge every day.

The road is set for completion by 2018 and is expected to cost Victorian taxpayers $400 million.

THE WESTERN DISTRIBUTOR:

* $5.5 billion to build, 3500 construction jobs created

* New lanes on the West Gate freeway, new connections to the port

* $1.60 return for every dollar spent

* Construction starts 2015, ends 2020

* Tolls on CityLink extended at least to 2044

* 14km long, adding 60km of new lanes

* 60 per cent increase in river crossing capacity.

(Source: Transurban)