The construction, which took place around the clock over a period of five days, was adjacent to a busy road used by trucks accessing Melbourne’s port.
Construction has started on the West Gate Tunnel Project, which will provide Melbourne, Victoria with a second river crossing, facilitating better commuter access and taking thousands of trucks off residential streets. The project is a partnership between the Victorian Government and Transurban and will be constructed by a CPB–John Holland Joint Venture (CBP-JH JV).
Sewer diversion reticulation connection
The West Gate Tunnel Project includes the widening of the West Gate Freeway from 8 to 12 lanes between the M80 Ring Road and Williamstown Road, a 2.8 km eastbound tunnel and 4 km westbound tunnel under the suburb of Yarraville.
The first of the two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) that will build the tunnel arrived in Melbourne in January 2019; however, before tunnelling can begin, existing utility infrastructure in the area needs to be relocated.
In December 2018, the JV awarded Adept Civil Group a contract to construct a new section of 300 mm diameter reticulation sewer in Yarraville.
“Our reputation for accuracy and proven safety record was a major contributing factor to the CPB–JH JV awarding Adept Civil Group the project,” says Adept Civil Business Development Manager Jim Pound.
“We are delighted to be involved in one of the most significant infrastructure projects in Victoria’s history.”
Adept Civil Group completed the work over the course of five days in February, using the company’s Vermeer Axis guided laser boring system.
Trenchless setup
Adept Civil Group’s microtunnelling system is ideal for relocation works and is able to be lowered into existing shafts to relocate and install pipe under roads footpaths and existing services. Adept Civil Group was required to work day and night to meet the required time frame to relocate the sewer.
“The project had to be completed in a very tight timeframe to minimise the disruption to vital City West Water sewer assets that service both residential and industrial clients,” says Mr Pound.
“Works took place on an extremely busy road that supports constant heavy vehicle traffic accessing Melbourne’s wharves and major transport hubs. Existing infrastructure and authority assets prevented traditional installation techniques and required trenchless technology to deliver the required outcome.”
Not finished yet
Adept Civil Group has secured other work as part of the construction of the West Gate Tunnel, including a contract, announced in December, to shift the alignment of 3 km of stormwater infrastructure along Footscray Road, using open cut and boring methods.
“We are currently working on several different sections of the Westgate Tunnel Project and have proven to be responsive and flexible to the ever-changing needs of this extremely complex project,” says Mr Pound.
“As the project progresses, Adept Civil Group will continue to provide solutions to help deliver this vital infrastructure that will benefit all Victorians.”
This article was featured in the March edition of Trenchless Australasia. To view the magazine on your PC, Mac, tablet, or mobile device, click here.
For more information visit the Adept Civil Group website.
If you have a project you would like featured in Trenchless Australasia contact Assistant Editor Chloe Jenkins at cjenkins@gs-press.com.au