The West Gate Tunnel is gigantic not only in scale, but also in the tools and machinery that were used to construct it.
The world-class architecture and engineering achieved by the project relied on meticulous construction and planning, with the added challenge of integrating the new tunnels and upgrades to the West Gate Freeway – one of Melbourne's busiest freeway corridors.
The workers, including trainees, apprentices and cadets, have been at the heart of the project, clocking up more than 62 million hours of work. Their work has been instrumental in ensuring that there are now 70km of new traffic lanes – all the way from Kororoit Creek Road to Wurundjeri Way.
Through these images, we pay tribute to this city-shaping project, the communities it connects, and the people who worked together to deliver it.
Celebrating the rich Aboriginal heritage and maritime history of Melbourne’s west
Recognising the history, culture, and community in Melbourne's west, the West Gate Tunnel features world-class architecture, urban and landscape designs that celebrate these elements.
From the twin tunnels to the bridges spanning the Maribyrnong River, the West Gate Tunnel also celebrates the thousands of Victorians who contributed to their design and construction.
