Work is continuing to reinforce the cross passage between the two tunnels of the West Gate Tunnel where there was a minor movement of rock and soil at the beginning of June.
In coming days, drilling will take place at surface level to confirm this reinforcement work underground has been effective and to determine if further work is needed.
It’s expected to take a few weeks until this investigation work is complete, and the rock and soil is removed from the tunnel.
While excavating the cross passages remains paused, work is continuing in the fit out of the outbound tunnel and road deck construction and across the other parts of the project.
The ground above and below surface level is stable and the area is safe.
A 10-metre layer of basalt rock lies above the cross passage. This large basalt cap acts as a strong plate across the passages. Basalt is extremely dense, volcanic rock. It is four times harder than concrete and is the best foundation for construction.
The gap created when rock and soil entered the tunnel during cross passage construction is being filled with grout. As the grout is pumped into the gap it hardens and fills the space. Once the gap has been filled, construction of the cross passage here will be completed.
The minor movement of rock and soil in one cross passage between the two tunnels of the West Gate Tunnel happened near the northern portal in Yarraville on Friday June 2.
There was no impact to workers.
The West Gate Tunnel Project includes twin tunnels connecting the West Gate Freeway to the port and city to provide an alternative to the West Gate Bridge and take thousands of trucks off local roads.
Tunnelling was completed earlier this year when two of the biggest tunnel boring machines in the southern hemisphere finished their journey from near the Maribyrnong River in Yarraville and broke through near the West Gate Freeway.
Quotes attributable to Executive Project Director West Gate Tunnel Project Peter Lellyett
“The team has been working hard to ensure the safe and timely clean-up of the site. Work is continuing to progress in other parts of the tunnel while this happens.
We are taking the incident seriously and conducting thorough investigations to ensure reinforcement of the cross passage is effective.”
Media contact: Cyndi Ferguson 0408738430