The largest TBM in the Southern Hemisphere – the 15.6m diameter Herrenknecht TBM ‘Vida’ – has broken through in Yarraville, completing her 2.8km, 295 day journey on the first city bound bore of Melbourne’s A$6.7bn West Gate Tunnel Project. The TBM was launched on the west side of the Maribyrnong River under Yarraville and finished at Williamstown Road near the West Gate Freeway.
The CPB Contractors and John Holland JV (CPBJH JV) is now driving the project’s second identical machine ‘Bella’ below Yarraville on the 4km long outbound tunnel. Bella is currently 3km into its 4km journey whereupon the tunnel will meet up with the West Gate Freeway in Altona North.
The West Gate Tunnel Project will deliver a vital alternative to the West Gate Bridge, providing a much needed second river crossing, quicker and safer journeys, and remove thousands of trucks from residential streets.
The West Gate Freeway is being widened, and will include express lanes between the M80 and the West Gate Bridge, reducing weaving and merging that leads to traffic congestion
The tunnel from the West Gate Freeway to the Maribyrnong River will take cars and trucks underground and off residential streets in the inner west, providing a more efficient freight route and new journey choices for motorists.
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