Moving larger sections of TBM Vida using superload transporters and other oversize overmass vehicles

As work continues on the West Gate Tunnel Project, Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Vida has now completed her journey and broken through the natural rock wall at the southern inbound portal. Crews have been working hard since her arrival on 16 February to clear debris from the arrival pit and dismantle the machine ready for transport from site.

As part of this process, we’ll move some larger sections using superload transporters and other oversize overmass vehicles at times. These over-sized loads will mostly travel to the tunnelling hub and the port end of Francis Street, using Williamstown Road, Francis Street and at times, Whitehall Street.

The larger loads will be moved at night when roads are not as busy, because of their need to travel slowly or take up more than one lane.

The removal process is expected to need around 100 movements across a three-month period, with some smaller trucks travelling during the day wherever possible. We’re continuing to look for ways to minimise disruptions through the area and around the tunnelling hub on Whitehall Street.

The truck routes have been carefully planned in accordance with Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) to ensure the safest and simplest routes are selected.

Due to the size of the vehicles and destinations for the parts, we don’t anticipate using local roads for the TBM removal loads.

We know inner west communities are keen to get trucks off local roads and are pleased to advise that truck numbers are continuing to reduce as we move closer to the end of tunnelling. This progress means reducing soil transfer from site and minimizing large concrete segments arriving on site.

When these movements for TBM Vida’s removal will start

• Overnight loads are expected to occur from late March to mid-April. To stay up to date on times and days for truck movements, email us at info@wgta.vic.gov.au to sign up for our weekly traffic alert or visit Victoria's Big Build Disruptions webpage.
• These loads will travel through the inner west between the hours of 10pm and 4am.
• Smaller truck movements as part of the Vida removal will mostly be undertaken during the day from
  late March and continue through to late July 2023.
• Day time truck movements will largely be between 6am and 10pm.

What to expect during delivery

• There are two approved routes that may be used for these movements, each using Williamstown Road and Francis Street. A small section of Whitehall Street will also be used to access the tunnelling Hub.
• Some smaller trucks may need to use limited local roads to connect to their destinations, however these paths will be selected in accordance with requirements and limits set out by DTP and the NHVR.
• Superload and oversized and overmass vehicles moving at night are likely to be accompanied by escort vehicles with flashing lights, that may undertake live traffic management along the route to keep you and our workers safe. This is not expected to disrupt nearby residential areas.
• The over-sized vehicles may also travel below the signed speed limit for safety reasons, so motorists will need to follow at a safe distance and only pass when safe to do so.
• On average, the vehicles will pass homes for just a few seconds and, when required to stop, drivers will be instructed to use air brakes rather than engine breaks to reduce noise. Download the notification to see the two main paths the oversized trucks will be following.

Further information

While this is the information currently available for these movements, the nature of the works in the retrieval pit means that dates may change as works progress.

We’ll also continue to work with transport operators, plant and storage facilities to further reduce truck disruptions as part of removing the TBM from the southern inbound portal.

We would love to keep in touch…electronically!

We know how important it is to keep in touch, so we’d like to offer some options for updates, including via email.

To sign up for electronic updates, please provide your name, address, email address and phone number via:

1. Emailing us with your details at info@wgta.vic.gov.au
2. Calling 1800 105 105 and provide our team with your details.
3. Going online and subscribing to our e-update at westgatetunnelproject.vic.gov.au/subscribe

Thank you

We appreciate our work can be disruptive and thank you for your understanding. Works may be rescheduled in the event of unexpected impacts.