5 April 2023 to 31 August 2023
Tunnel boring machine Bella breakthrough and demobilization
Tunnelling is almost complete on the 4km outbound tunnel for the West Gate Tunnel Project. Our tunnel boring machine (TBM) Bella is expected to arrive at the outbound exit near Newport rail line in the second half of April 2023. Bella will then be taken apart with the majority transported back to the tunnelling hub at 221 Whitehall Street, Yarraville.
From April until August 2023, the West Gate Tunnel Project will work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to take apart the TBM. It will be dismantled, by a crane positioned on the West Gate Freeway and parts transported by truck back to the West Gate Tunnel Project’s tunnelling hub on Whitehall Street, Yarraville. Some parts may also be moved via freeways to recycling centres in the west.
Once the remaining parts of the TBM Bella have been retrieved, smaller machines helping to install the road, ventilation and services in the tunnel will also be removed. These works will also be undertaken 24/7 and be completed by early next year.
We will be in touch with local communities to discuss these works further. We’d like to talk with residents and businesses about how we’ll be monitoring and reducing construction impacts, as well as the options available to you if you experience impacts during the work. We encourage you to contact us on 1800 105 105 or email us at info@wgta.vic.gov.au to learn more about the next steps.
What to expect and when
| Impact | Date |
|---|---|
24/7 construction noise including:
| April to August 2023 |
24/7 construction vehicle movements in the area including:
| April to August 2023 |
Night-time lighting to keep our working areas safe and secure. Lighting will be angled away from homes whenever possible while we are working at night. | April to August 2023 |
Other works at the site
Ventilation structure
Work to build the West Gate Tunnel’s ventilation structure on the West Gate Freeway is ongoing with a focus on building the walls of the structure. Once the walls have been built, an architectural designed finish will be lifted and attached to the outside of the concrete walls.
Works are also continuing on a new electrical substation which will power the tunnels electrical, mechanical and instrumentation. These works include concrete pours, structural steel and installation of precast panels.
More detail on what to expect
- We’ll be working during the day and at night.
- In the lead up to the breakthrough, it is anticipated there will be 24/7 works, if these are expected to be disruptive, we will notify residents.
- Water spraying trucks and road sweepers will be used in local streets around our worksites, keeping local roads clean during construction.
- You may experience changes in local traffic conditions while we’re at work.
- We’ll be in touch with the most affected residents to discuss potential impacts.
Thank you
We appreciate our work can be disruptive and thank you for your understanding and patience. Works may be rescheduled in the event of unexpected impacts.
For updates or questions, please call 1800 105 105, email us at info@wgta.vic.gov.au, visit the West Gate Tunnel Project website.
You can also drop into our Info Centre at 2 Somerville Road, Yarraville, 3013, from 10am–5pm on Monday–Friday or 10am–4pm on Saturday for further information on the project.
Join the West Gate Tunnel Project – West Gate Freeway Construction Updates Facebook Group
Do you live or work near the West Gate Freeway?
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