The team delivering the West Gate Tunnel in Melbourne, Victoria, recently completed building the intricate timber net structure that features at the project's northern portal.
The timber structure, located at the Maribyrnong River entry and exit point to the tunnels, is made up of hundreds of carefully fitted timber pieces. At 38 metres tall, it is comprised of 16 arches and will span six lanes of traffic.
The timber nets have been constructed at the citybound portal and westbound portal, with each spanning three lanes of traffic.
CPB Contractors Project Manager Buildings, Chris Panting said the completion was the result of a team effort.
“The team started the timber net build in early February and just eight weeks later installed the final arch at the end of March,” he said.
“In some precision lifting on site, it took four cranes and crews in elevated work platforms to install each arch and support.”
CPB Contractors is working with Transurban and the Victorian Government to deliver Victoria’s West Gate Tunnel Project as part of a joint venture. Design and construction works include:
- Widening the West Gate Freeway from eight lanes to 12 between the M80 Ring Road and Williamstown Road
- A 2.8km eastbound tunnel and a 4km westbound tunnel under Yarraville
- A new bridge over the Maribyrnong River providing an alternative to the West Gate Bridge
- An elevated road along Footscray Road to the Port of Melbourne, CityLink and the city’s north, and major new cycling and pedestrian path