West Gate Tunnel reaches another major milestone

The final piece of the West Gate Tunnel’s new elevated freeway will soon be stitched into place using a 1400-tonne crane.

The crane is 40 metres high with a 116-metre-long gantry and has been hoisting 100-tonne pieces of concrete roadway and connecting them above Footscray Rd.

The news was announced a week after Dynon Rd reopened for drivers after an “around the clock construction blitz”.

According to the state government, crews have worked more than 30,000 hours to strengthen and widen the Dynon Rd bridge during the past 11 weeks.

The government reports that the workers have replaced multiple old steel beams and barriers from the bridge, as well as poured concrete to finish the new deck.

Member for Footscray Katie Hall thanked residents for their patience.

“We thank the public for their patience during the closure of Dynon Rd while we carried out these critical works as quickly and safely as possible,” Ms Hall said.

Premier Daniel Andrews again stressed the necessity of the project.

“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 Premier said.

Work will now begin on a new bridge over Dudley St, extending Wurundjeri Way to Dynon Rd and functioning as a city bypass that the government predicts will take 2500 cars and trucks off local streets each day. •