📋 Tender Overview
A major milestone has been reached on the Andrews Labor Governments West Gate Tunnel project with tunnel boring now complete on the two twin tunnels that will create a much-needed alternative to the congested West Gate Bridge.Tunnel Boring Machine TBM Bella has broken through in South Kingsville completing a 4-kilometre journey from the west side of the Maribyrnong River under Yarraville to just east of Millers Road near the West Gate Freeway.Over the past 15 months TBM Bella has operated 247 excavating enough soil to fill the MCG while installing more than 15000 individual concrete segments to create the tunnel walls.The significant milestone comes after TBM Vida completed her journey marking the largest tunnel breakthrough to occur in the southern hemisphere.The massive tunnel boring machine will be dismantled and removed piece by piece with the 450-tonne cutterhead buried on-site and other components either recycled or returned to the manufacturer.Crews will continue the important work of building the road deck and installing electrical lighting and safety systems to prepare both tunnels for completion in 2025.Above ground work is now underway to construct the ventilation system at the outbound portal and prepare for the installation of the iconic eel net structure.When complete the West Gate Tunnel Project will transform travel in Melbournes west. It will deliver a vital alternative to the West Gate Bridge provide a second river crossing and remove more than 9000 trucks from residential streets.Journeys will be safer and more reliable with travel times between Melbournes west and the city slashed by up to 20 minutes.There will also be 14 kilometres of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths and close to 9 hectares of new parks and wetlands.
