The final steel beam has been lifted into place connecting a new bridge across Maribyrnong River with the Footscray elevated road being built as part of the West Gate Tunnel Project.
The main bridge over the Maribyrnong River will create a vital second river crossing from the west and will span 760 metres once built, feature three lanes in each direction and allow motorists to travel from the twin West Gate tunnels to CityLink and the city.
In addition, two smaller bridges over the Maribyrnong River will provide a direct entry and exit into the Port of Melbourne taking 9000 trucks a day off local roads.
With the final steel beam installed, crews will continue building the road deck, and installing barriers, lighting and traffic signs structures and urban design features including cladding that looks like an eel skin.
A massive 1600 tonne crane - the only one of its kind in Australia – was used to build the bridges piece-by-piece over the past 17 months, with approximately 1 million hours worked by crew over the period.
The West Gate Tunnel Project will transform travel in Melbourne’s west, delivering a vital alternative to the West Gate Bridge, providing a much needed second river crossing, and cutting travel times by 20 minutes.
The Project is also delivering new and upgraded walking and cycling paths for quicker and safer cycling to the city with a new veloway and bridges over Footscray Road and Moonee Ponds Creek.
