Massive West Gate Tunnel Project reaches new major milestone

Victoria’s West Gate Tunnel Project has reached a major milestone with the completion of tunnelling works on the twin tunnels. This takes the massive project a step closer to relieving congestion on the West Gate Bridge. 

Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Bella has completed its 4-kilometre journey from the west side of Maribyrnong River under Yarraville to just east of Millers Road near the West Gate Freeway and has emerged in South Kingsville. 

TBM Bella has operated round the clock over the past 15 months, digging enough dirt to fill the MCG and installing over 15,000 individual concrete segments for the tunnel walls. 

“This is a significant breakthrough, completing one of the most challenging parts of the West Gate Tunnel Project – in just a few years’ time, thousands of Victorians will travel through this tunnel each day, transforming Melbourne’s west,” Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said. 

West Gate Tunnel map (source: Victoria's Big Build)

Following the completion of TBM Bella’s journey, it will now be dismantled and removed piece by piece. The 450-tonne cutterhead is going to be buried on site and the remaining components are either recycled or returned to the manufacturer. 

Crews will continue building the road deck as well as the installation of electrical, lighting and safety systems on the two tunnels to prepare them for completion. 

Works are also carried out above ground to build the ventilation system at the outbound portal along with preparation for the installation of the iconic eel net structure. 

The West Gate Tunnel is a transformative, city-shaping project that will change how people travel in Melbourne’s west and will provide an alternative to the West Gate Bridge. 

“We promised we’d build an alternative to the West Gate Bridge to keep our city moving, and we’re getting on with it – creating thousands of jobs and setting our booming western suburbs up for the future. 

“The West Gate Tunnel Project will slash travel times, take thousands of trucks off local roads, and get families home sooner and safer,” Premier Daniel Andrews said. 

Artist impression of the new bridge (source: Victoria's Big Build)

This major transport infrastructure development includes widening of the West Gate Freeway with express laned between the M80 and the West Gate Bridge, twin tunnels that connect the West Gate Freeway to the Port of Melbourne and CityLink as well as a bridge over the Maribyrnong River linking to an elevated road along Footscray Road. 

The project will also install a state-of-the-art smart technology across the length of the project that links to other freeway management systems in the city and add about 14-kilometres of walking and cycling path from Werribee to the city. 

Once up and running, the West Gate Tunnel will remove up to 9,000 trucks from residential streets and provide safer and more reliable journeys between Melbourne’s west and the city. 

In addition, the West Gate Tunnel Project is anticipated to create more than 6,000 jobs across Victoria, supporting local businesses and opening opportunities for local and regional employment. 

Source: Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; Roads & Infrastructure Australia; Victoria’s Big Build – West Gate Tunnel Project