30 August 2024
2.5km cycling super-highway taking shape
Construction of a new 2.5-kilometre cycling super-highway along Footscray Road is underway.
Running between Shepherd Bridge in Footscray and the city side of Moonee Ponds Creek, the veloway will remove the need for cyclists to cross six intersections including busy port entries and exits – giving cyclists a safe, dedicated express route to and from the CBD.
The new veloway track is completely separated from traffic and suspended between Footscray Road and the new elevated road above.
Made up of 195 individual segments and weighing a total of 1,700 tonnes, the veloway will contain two lanes and be four metres wide and will deliver faster and safer trips for cyclists between the city and the inner west.
The veloway is part of more than 14-kilometres of new and upgraded paths delivered by the West Gate Tunnel Project that will make it safer and easier for more people to cycle.
Veloway features
- Two emergency exits with alarms
- Emergency vehicle access
- CCTV coverage
- Mesh cover and perforated side panels for ;ventilation
New tunnel near Millers Road on the West Gate Freeway structures appearing on the skyline
West Gate Tunnel Project crews are continuing construction of the inside structure of the more than ;50-metre-tall ventilation system at the westbound tunnel exit, located between Millers and Williamstown Roads.
Once complete the ventilation structure will be fitted with architectural cladding, which is made of aluminium and attached to a steel frame which will become a landmark feature on the West Gate Freeway.
The steel frame is preassembled into 10-tonne sections before being lifted onto the ventilation structure, before 1,644 cladding panels are applied.
All up, the cladding panels cover an area of more than 9,200m2, which ;would cover just under half the playing surface of the MCG!
The ventilation structure uses best practice criteria to ensure that the tunnel achieves effective and safe dispersion.
The combination of the structure as well as the powerful jet fans, will ensure that safe air quality is maintained both inside and outside the tunnel.
Construction of the iconic timber net structure at the citybound tunnel entry at Williamstown Road will get underway this year.
The Aboriginal culture and heritage of Melbourne’s west is reflected in the design of the tunnel portals ;which has been inspired by the form of traditional nets and traps used in waterways.
The net structures will be made from a unique glued laminated timber and steel connections that arrive in small sections and are then pieced together.
There will also be integrated feature lighting enhancing this at night. This also ensures a comfortable and safe lighting transition for drivers in and out of the tunnels.
Once complete, the citybound tunnel portal timber net structure will soar approximately 30 metres into the air, creating a striking, architectural addition to the West Gate Freeway.
A splash of colour for Melbourne’s newest bridge
A splash of colour will soon appear on new bridges at the Maribyrnong River.
Construction of the eel skin feature on the bridge from the tunnels to the elevated Footscray Road will get underway soon.Crews are currently installing the steel brackets which the glass reinforced cladding panels will be attached to along the side of the bridge.
The glass reinforced panels feature an intricate and unique design which is designed to look like eel skin.
The shimmering and vibrant multi-coloured design will brighten up the surrounding area as you drive.
West Gate Freeway gantry lifted into place
Since August 2023, our crews have been working along the West Gate Freeway, Princes Freeway and M80 Ring Road to install a variety of overhead gantries which form the freeway management system.
These gantries will hold both electronic and static signage, electronic speed limit displays, road safety cameras and freeway information boards.
To date, we’ve installed over 2,500 tonnes of steel and 55 out of a total of 58 gantries, with the final gantries to be installed along the Princes Freeway and the West Gate Freeway later this year.
In order to undertake these lifts safely and effectively, we’ve had to close freeway lanes, carriageways and ramps at night. Thank you for your patience and understanding while we’ve been completing these complex works.
Cyclists get the opportunity to virtually ride the veloway
Over the past few months our community and stakeholder teams have been out and about talking to the community about the new 2.5-kilometre cycling super-highway along Footscray Road.
Special information sessions were held at the project Info Centre, with sessions also held at the Docklands Community Market and Good Cycles in Docklands. Good Cycles provided a free chain check and coffee to warm visitors up on the cold winters day.At the Info Centre, these sessions provided the community with a virtual reality experience, with our special goggles simulating the journey from Yarraville Gardens to Shepherd Bridge, into the veloway and all the way down Footscray Road to the end of the path at Docklands.
If you didn’t manage to get to any of the pop-ups, don’t worry, you can head to the project Info Centre in Yarraville and still experience the veloway on our virtual reality headsets.
Our Info Centre is open Monday to Saturday at 2 Somerville Road Yarraville.
Latest funding round a win for the inner west
More than 90 local community groups in the inner west have shared in $1.4 million worth of funding as the recipients of the latest round of the West Gate Neighbourhood Fund.
This is the largest number of projects supported in a round of the Fund so far, and will help local organisations such as Yarraville Seddon Eagles, Altona Hockey Club, Borderlands Co-operative and Williamsown Literary Festival get their projects off the ground.
The Fund supports community projects that celebrate sport and recreation, support diverse communities, focus on arts and culture, provide new opportunities >and skills for communities, increase participation, and bring the community together.
It has so far supported over 200 projects, totalling more than $9.5 million.
For more information about the Fund and the projects supported, visit the WGTP website westgatetunnelproject.vic.gov.au/neighbourhoodfund.