New photos show how far behind state government is on West Gate Tunnel project

The project was scheduled to open before the state election, but new aerial photos show how the West Gate Tunnel project is far from completion. SEE THE PICS.

The West Gate Tunnel project was originally set to open before this weekend’s state election — but has blown out to $10.8 billion and is three years behind schedule.

New photos show how far the trouble-plagued West Gate Tunnel has fallen behind, with half-built ramps and unfinished road links.

The project, which was originally scheduled to open before this weekend’s state election, has blown out by $4.1 billion to $10.8 billion, and is three years behind schedule.

Since 2018, western suburbs commuters have been confronted by roadworks and disruption around the West Gate Freeway, with the promise of a new river crossing.
But after massive delays due to legal disputes and a contaminated soil crisis, motorists must wait until 2025 for the road’s ribbon-cutting.

The timing is a blow to the Andrews Government, which has found itself under siege in the western suburbs – once a political fortress for the ALP.

Independents are making inroads into Labor’s massive margins, largely due to locals feeling like they’re been taken for granted.

The tunnel entrance at Millers Rd. Picture: David Caird

Excavated parts of the freeway above Millers and Williamstown roads exit and entrance ramps. Picture: David Caird

The Andrews government has found itself ‘under siege’ in the western suburbs over the project’s blowout. Picture: David Caird

Several seats in Melbourne’s west are now shaping as real contests, including Melton, Point Cook, and Werribee — the latter held by Treasurer Tim Pallas.

Closer to Melbourne, Labor is also fending off a challenge from the Greens in its safe seat of Footscray.

When Premier Daniel Andrews signed contracts for tolling giant Transurban to build a West Gate Tunnel five years ago, it was supposed to be a powerful reminder of his mantra that Labor was “getting things done”.
It also offset one of his most controversial acts as premier — killing off the East West Link toll road.

“The time for talking is over – this project will deliver a long-overdue alternative to the West Gate Bridge,” he trumpeted in late 2017.

Aerial photos taken by the Sunday Herald Sunlast week show that many areas of the West Gate Tunnel are a long way from providing that promised alternative.

There are now concerns about the slow pace of works at the eastern side of the project at Footscray Rd, which has been plagued by problems related to sourcing steel and union stoppages.

Footscray Road construction in West Melbourne. Picture: David Caird

Parts of the project have been plagued by problems relating to sourcing steel and union stoppages. Picture: David Caird

The project’s complex network of aerial roads around Footscray Rd and CityLink are nowhere near finished, while a nearby bridge over the Maribyrnong River – a much-touted second river crossing for the west – is also months off resembling a proper structure.

This section of the project, known as West Gate Tunnel East has been well known within the industry as a problem area.

One source who has worked on the site said they would be surprised if the area was close to completion by the time tunnel boring machines, which spent at least 18 months idle in the ground, broke through.

“Everyone has been so obsessed with the tunnel that they haven’t even looked at WGT East,” he said.

“There is still so much to do there and it’s been because of multiple issues including sourcing local steel and union delays.”

Construction union the CFMEU has regularly created headaches for contractors on the WGT as part of a larger bargaining process with CPB.

Another headache has been a precast facility at Benalla, which was established to mould tunnel wall segments and other large bridge components.

Touted for its benefits to regional jobs, the arrangement has been plagued by problems, including a rail line into the facility not able to cope with large pieces of concrete manufactured.

The complex set of roads are nowhere near finished. Picture: David Caird

Tunnel boaring machines have sat idle for 18 months. Picture: David Caird

Picture: David Caird

Bridge construction over the Maribyrnong River at Footscray Road. Picture: David Caird

The bridge over the Maribyrnong River — a much-touted second river crossing for the west — is also months off resembling a proper structure. Picture: David Caird

The 2km elevated road over Footscray Rd is well underway. Picture: David Caird

Despite ongoing issues, the government insists the project is powering ahead and that a 2km elevated road over Footscray Rd is well underway, and CityLink connections are taking shape.

But widening works on the West Gate Freeway, one of the first areas of the project to begin work, are yet to wrap up.

Last month, Ms Allan proudly spruiked the mega road’s progress.

“We’re making significant progress across the project with tunnelling powering past the halfway mark – creating the transport option this city desperately needs,” she said.

Opposition transport infrastructure spokesman Matt Bach said “the West Gate Tunnel kind of says it all about the Andrews Government”.
“Astronomical waste, weapons-grade incompetence, (and) utter disdain for the people of Melbourne’s west,” he said.

Originally published as New photos show how far behind state government is on West Gate Tunnel project