Update on works

Between now and the end of February 2022, the West Gate Tunnel Project will be doing more work at the Northern Tunnel Portal on Whitehall Street and in the surrounding areas.

If any of the works are expected to be particularly disruptive, we will be in touch before they begin.

Traffic disruptions will be updated on the Big Build website and weekly traffic email alert.

Northern Tunnel Portal at Whitehall Street construction works

Ongoing

We’re continuing construction work at our Northern Tunnel Portal site along Whitehall Street between Youell Street and Somerville Road.

You may notice minor construction noise from the Northern Tunnel Portal, as well as truck movements to and from the site.

We are building sections of the roof and road decks which are both integral parts of the project. The roof deck supports the tunnel ventilation system which will maintain safe air quality in and outside the tunnels, while the road deck is the new road in and out of the tunnels. For more information, please visit the Project's Tunnel ventilation and air quality webpage.

The construction works includes building walls, concrete pours and installing concrete segments.

Lyons Street and Billy Button Creek

September – November 2021

The bridges over Billy Button Creek are expected to be completed by November. These bridges are located within our worksite and will be used by our construction vehicles and machinery, before becoming publicly accessible towards the end of the West Gate Tunnel Project’s construction phase.

Minor construction noise and vibration may be experienced during these works.

These works include on site concrete pours and placement of precast concrete segments over Billy Button Creek.

We are also building embankment structures which will connect the new tunnel to the new bridges across the Maribyrnong River.

Harris Street walking and cycling path

September 2021 – February 2022

From September, works will start on the new walking and cycling path for Harris Street, which will connect from Hyde Street to a new bridge over Whitehall Street.

Construction noise and truck movements will be expected during these works. We’ve planned these works for the day; however, some activity will be needed at night when there is minimal traffic around Whitehall Street.

These works will take place in two stages:

From September 2021 to February 2022, stage one will include trimming and vegetation management, and utility relocation along Harris and Whitehall Streets and in Hanmer Reserve (Yarraville Gardens). Piling and column construction will also be undertaken along Harris Street.

Construction will be focused along Harris Street but there will be some activity in the garden area. The dog park, sporting field and picnic areas will all still be available for use.

Stage two is planned to start in 2023 and will include construction of the elevated walking and cycling path that crosses Whitehall Street and pedestrian upgrades to Harris Street.

Traffic management will be in place on Harris Street between

Cowper and Whitehall street for the works during stage one. We will be in touch before any disruptive works.

Preparatory works for bridge construction over the Maribyrnong River

October – December 2021

Noise and occasional road closures on Maribyrnong Street are expected during these works.

We will be installing large steel components and precast concrete panels to form the new bridges that link the West Gate Tunnel to the elevated roadway above Footscray Road.

Preparatory works will start in October and include trimming and management of vegetation, as well as alterations to Maribyrnong Street including temporary removal or relocation of carpark spaces.

Installation of the bridge girders for the bridges over the Maribyrnong River is planned to start early 2022.

We will be in touch before any disruptive works.

Ongoing groundwater monitoring in Yarraville

You may see our team carrying out water sampling as part of our regular groundwater monitoring requirements to confirm that groundwater is behaving as expected.

These works may include traffic changes for drivers on local roads and occasional nightworks, however there will be minimal noise impacts to surrounding residents and businesses.

We’ll be in touch if the works will be disruptive.