A Gippsland business is playing a key role in one of Victoria’s biggest freeway upgrade projects while helping to create more jobs and delivering a boost to the local economy.
GBG Concrete & Construction is manufacturing more than 200 precast concrete panels in Sale for the project, with more than 20 additional staff employed including steel fixers, carpenters and concrete finishers to get the job done.
The family-owned company is making the panels, each weighing on average 13 tonnes – the heaviest panel weighing around 25 tonnes. The precast panels, which are between 1.5m and 2m wide and between 2.3m and 8.8m high, are being transported to site in over 180 truckloads.
So far crews have installed the 95 pre-cast panels along Service Road at Watsonia. When complete, the retaining wall will measure 373m, extending from Frensham Reserve to the North East Link tunnels entrance.
The wall will provide structural support for new Greensborough Highway southbound lanes and act as a noise barrier for nearby residents in Service Road.
The panels feature a high-quality architectural finish and have undergone an oxide (iron) infusion to achieve a colour inspired by the local landscape. Starting with smooth concrete, the panels will gradually shift to a textured finish resembling natural rock and soil.
The M80 Ring Road Completion project will include five new lanes and smart technology from Plenty Road to a new M80 interchange, while seamlessly connecting to the new North East Link tunnels.