The West Gate Tunnel Project reached a major milestone recently, with tunnel boring complete on two twin tunnels that will create a much-needed alternative to the congested West Gate Bridge.
Amongst the crowd of tunnel workers, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan and Footscray MP Katie Hall watched on.
Ms Hall said it was great to be there to mark this major milestone.
“As we get on with delivering the West Gate Tunnel Project to slash travel times, take thousands of trucks off local roads, and get families home sooner and safer,” she said.
Three local residents were also there, as the enormous 15.6-metre wide TBM smashed through the final stretch of rock and soil in South Kingsville.
Members of the West Gate Tunnel Project’s Community Liaison Group (CLG), who provide an important voice on behalf of residents to the project, were invited to don their hard hats and join in the major milestone.
Kevin Redfern from Seabrook, Con Frescos from Yarraville and Bert Boere from Brooklyn, all had a front row seat for this important milestone
The breakthrough was the largest to occur in the Southern Hemisphere, and it was an exciting moment for those who’ve volunteered so much of their time on the project over several years.
Workers and community members cheered the machine on as TBM Bella smashed through the final layer of rock and soil.
The finished project will deliver a vital alternative to the West Gate Bridge, providing a second river crossing, and removing more than 9000 trucks from residential streets.
Journeys will be safer and more reliable with travel times between Melbourne’s 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.
Jennifer Pittorino
