The West Gate Tunnel Project has begun an extensive program of works as part of widening the West Gate Freeway from eight to 12 lanes and rebuilding a section of the Grieve Parade bridge.
These works will take approximately 11 weeks and have been scheduled to take place over summer, when traffic volumes are typically lower in the area.
Over the weekend, the site crew demolished the eastern half of the bridge, which was originally built in the 1970s, to make way for rebuilding. The traffic island in the middle of the bridge was removed, then the eastern side was separated from the western side of the bridge, and underwent hydrodemolition.
This required the freeway to be closed 24/7 for four days, between the M80 interchange and Grieve Parade.
These demolition works have been completed and the western side of the bridge has now reopened to one lane of traffic each way.
Construction of the new bridge has now kicked off.
These works will include:
- reconstructing the bridge footings
- installing 18 new beams to widen the bridge over the freeway
- constructing the new bridge deck
- installing barriers and railing on the east side of bridge
- installing new kerbs and rebuild the footpath
- laying new asphalt for the new lanes on the bridge.
These works are part of a wider program of construction scheduled across summer, taking advantage of typically lower traffic volumes at this time of year.
During this time, the following ramps will be closed until the 22nd February:
- Princess Freeway to Geelong Road in both directions
- M80 Ring Road Altona bound exit ramp to the West Gate Freeway.
There will also be occasional freeway closures overnight – stay up-to-date on the West Gate Tunnel Project Facebook page.