Project:
West Gate Tunnel, Yarraville, VIC
Client:
CPBJH Joint Venture (CPB Contractors & John Holland)
Barrier System:
Deltabloc DB80 Concrete Crash Barriers
Installed:
July 2018
Total Length:
1,392 metres
Project Overview
As part of the West Gate Tunnel Project in Victoria, Workzone Solutions provided over 1.3 kilometres of crash-rated concrete barriers to enhance safety during a significant freeway upgrade in Melbourne’s inner west.
This extensive infrastructure initiative is a collaboration between the Victorian Government and Transurban. Its goal is to alleviate traffic congestion, improve freight access to the port, and take thousands of trucks off residential streets.
In the tunnel area near Yarraville, teams from the CPBJH Joint Venture (which includes CPB Contractors and John Holland) needed sturdy, impact-rated perimeter barriers to safeguard workers and limit access to high-risk areas.
Site Conditions and Requirements
The West Gate Tunnel project included several significant upgrades, such as widening the West Gate Freeway, building new tunnels and bridges, and creating an elevated road along Footscray Road. With hundreds of workers navigating a bustling, high-speed construction zone, ensuring safety around live traffic was a top priority.
To tackle this challenge, the project implemented a longitudinal crash barrier that adhered strictly to national road safety standards. These barriers had to be available in large quantities, designed for high-speed conditions, and effective at controlling deflection to minimise the effects of vehicle collisions.
Our Solution
Workzone Solutions recently delivered 232 Deltabloc DB80 concrete barriers, providing a solid 1,392 metres of protection throughout the site. These barriers have been rigorously MASH-tested and carry a TL-3 rating, ensuring they can withstand strong impacts with minimal deflection, even at speeds reaching 100 km/h.
Each 6-metre barrier is fully approved by VicRoads, Austroads, RMS, TMR, and DPTI, making them perfect for large-scale public infrastructure projects. They’re built to absorb collisions from vehicles like utes, trucks, and light commercial vehicles, ensuring a reliable separation between traffic and work zones.
When they were installed, the DB80 was among the few systems that had already been tested and approved under the 2019 Austroads MASH standards, allowing CPBJH JV to stay ahead of the curve with evolving compliance requirements.
Project Outcome
The barriers were deployed throughout the tunnel precinct to separate live traffic from worksites and define no-go areas across the sprawling construction footprint. They played a key role in protecting personnel and infrastructure during critical stages of the build.
With works continuing through to 2022, the West Gate Tunnel will ultimately deliver a much-needed second river crossing for Melbourne, easing pressure on the West Gate Bridge and providing better access for freight and commuters.
System Installed:
- 232 x Deltabloc DB80 Concrete Barriers (6m each)
- Total installation: Approx. 1,392 metres
Installation Date: July 2018
Barrier Specifications:
- Length: 6m
- Height: 800mm
- Width: 580mm
- Weight: 3,120kg
- Approved Speed Limit: 100km/h
