The multi-billion dollar West Gate Tunnel Project (WGTP) in Victoria is progressing well, with the completion of massive shed that is set to be the centre of construction activity and tunnelling activities to commence soon.
The 180-metre long and 90-metre wide shed will help maintain the levels of dust and noise to a minimum, limiting impact on residents and businesses located near the construction site. Approximately 12,000 work hours have gone towards the construction of the shed.
The shed is going to be connected to the tunnel via a 15-kilometre long conveyor by the time tunnelling works conclude.
Rock and soil excavated from underground will be transported via the conveyor to the tunnel boring machine (TBM) launch site, then onto a covered conveyor over Somerville Road towards giant bins before it is trucked away.
The conveyors will be moving at a speed of 12.6 kilometres per hour, with about 9,000 tonnes of rock and soil moved daily during peak excavation.
The over-the-road conveyor and the shed are vital elements of the project, which will keep traffic moving as well as help reduce dust and noise impact on the community during the construction of the WGTP.
The second TBM for the WGTP named Vida has arrived in Melbourne. Bella, the first TBM, is set to begin digging by mid-2019 with Vida to follow afterwards. Tunnelling works will be done around the clock and will take up to 18 months to complete.
“We’ve built the shed, the TBMs are here and tunnelling will kick off soon to build the second river crossing,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
The are approximately 3,500 people currently working on the WGTP and most of the major work sites have been established.
The West Gate Tunnel is set to connect the West Gate Freeway to the port, city and CityLink and once it opens to traffic, it will be able to cut travel times from the west by up to 20 minutes.
Construction of the WGTP is due for completion by 2022.
“Now the shed is done, all focus turns to getting ready for tunnelling - our massive TBMs will work around the clock to dig the tunnels that will deliver a much-needed alternative to the West Gate Bridge,” Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said.
The WGTP is being delivered by a consortium headed by CPB Contractors and John Holland.
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Source: Premier of Victoria; Inside Construction; West Gate Tunnel Project; Mirage News