A tunnelling hub shed in Yarraville is being built to reduce noise and dust during the construction of Melbourne’s West Gate Tunnel project.
The shed will process more than 1.5 million cubic metres of dirt and rock excavated from the tunnel, which is enough to fill the MCG.
500 workers will be employed at the site on the corner of Somerville Road and Whitehall Street.
An elevated, covered conveyor belt will connect the hub to the neighbouring northern portal site, and transport the dirt and rock from the project’s two tunnel boring machines into the shed.
A footbridge will also be built over Somerville Road to help workers safely move between the two sites.
This is the third major worksite for the West Gate Tunnel project established in recent weeks, with crews working at the northern portal site and the widening of the West Gate Freeway.
The Victorian Government says the West Gate Tunnel project will create over 6000 jobs.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the crash on the West Gate Freeway a few weeks ago showed how urgently an alternative to the West Gate Bridge was needed.
“More than 500 people will be employed on this site alone as two massive tunnel boring machines start digging the West Gate Tunnel – to slash congestion and get trucks off local roads,” Mr Andrews said.
State Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan said the site would be bigger than a Bunnings and have facilities for 500 workers.
“This massive shed will mean less dust and less noise for locals during construction,” Mr Donnellan said.
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- Work begins on the West Gate Tunnel
- Tunnel boring machines on the way for West Gate Tunnel