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West Gate Tunnel design released

Momentum is gaining on Victoria’s multibillion-dollar West Gate Tunnel as the project’s design gets the go-ahead.

Momentum is gaining on Victoria’s multibillion-dollar West Gate Tunnel as the project’s design gets the go-ahead.Momentum is gaining on Victoria’s multibillion-dollar West Gate Tunnel as the project’s design gets the go-ahead.

Earlier this year, the Victorian Government and Transurban named the CPB Contractors and John Holland consortium, together with the Aurecon and Jacobs in joint venture, as the preferred contractors to design and build the West Gate Tunnel.

The Aurecon and Jacobs Joint Venture (AJJV) developed the successful concept design for the project, involving extensive stakeholder and community engagement, and technical investigations to enhance the initial proposal.

The AJJV has now released its improved and revised design for the project, which incorporates high-quality urban design, an increase in length for one of the twin tunnels and a redesigned CityLink interchange to improve traffic performance.

Comprising twin tunnels, the West Gate Tunnel will provide a second Yarra River crossing and alternative route to the West Gate Bridge. It includes a veloway that will take cyclists through an elevated route from Footscray Road to Docklands and aims to take thousands of trucks taken off local roads, all while improving both safety and connectivity from the city to the developing western suburbs.

“We are excited to release a design with better connections, more open space and world-class urban design,” said AJJV Design Manager Alex Gilbert in a statement.

“The improved design responded to extensive feedback focusing on such issues as improved liveability, safety, connectivity and open spaces from Altona through to the city. It incorporates a range of innovative user-led solutions that arose from the consultation process on the project since it was first proposed and throughout the tender phase.”

The project design includes:

  • Two, three-lane tunnels, including Victoria’s longest road tunnel (4km)
  • Widening of 6 km of the West Gate Freeway from 8 to 12 lanes
  • A new freeway incorporating a second crossing of the Maribyrnong River
  • 14km of new and upgraded cycling and walking paths including a new 2.5km raised veloway
  • Nearly 9 ha of new open space and wetlands, and almost 17 700 new trees

The project will now be assessed through an Environment Effects Statement, which is currently on public exhibition, before expected planning approvals at the end of the year.

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