A giant 1400-tonne crane will soon lift the final piece of the new elevated freeway into place above Footscray Road.
The 40-metre-high and 116-metre-long gantry has been hoisting massive 100-tonne pieces of concrete roadway into the air and stitching them together.
The crane has been building the new road that will link the twin tunnels to the city and port.
The state government said crews will now focus on the fit-out including bridge barriers, the new and modern freeway management system, and asphalting to pave the way for the six-lane freeway.
At the same time, multiple cranes will spend five weeks dismantling the gantry crane and preparing its spare parts for reuse.
According to the government, more than 80 per cent of road deck has now been installed across the twin tunnels and a strengthened, widened Dynon Road which reopened to drivers last week.
Work will soon start on the new bridge to go over Dudley Street, extending Wurundjeri Way to Dynon Road by creating a city bypass.
The government said the tunnel will transform travel in the west by providing a vital alternative to the West Gate Bridge and a much needed second river crossing.
It will also create 14 kilometres of walking and cycling paths, and close to nine hectares of parks and wetlands.
Premier Daniel Andrews said, “From Footscray to Melton, Melbourne’s west is booming. And as our suburbs grow, we’re keeping pace by building the roads Victorians need to get them home sooner and safer.
“The elevated Footscray Road will slash travel times for people in our western suburbs and take thousands of trucks off local roads, connecting the tunnels to CityLink and the CBD and providing direct access to the port.”
Transport and Infrastructure minister Jacinta Allan said, “We’ve reached yet another important milestone as we power ahead with the West Gate Tunnel, providing an alternative to the West Gate Bridge, slashing travel times and taking thousands of trucks off local roads.”
