Construction is intensifying on the highly anticipated Ison Road Overpass, aimed at providing essential connectivity for the growing population of Wyndham West to the Princes Freeway.
The initial two out of three towering piling rigs have arrived at the site to assist in establishing the bridge’s foundation. Concurrently, earthworks are in progress to elevate ground levels for the overpass road.
These piling rigs can extend up to 21 meters in height, roughly three times taller than a typical power pole. The largest of the three rigs, weighing 124 tonnes, is expected to arrive in the coming months, equivalent to the weight of around 60 average-sized dual-cab utes. These substantial machines will aid in constructing approximately 1000 steel-reinforced concrete piles, reaching depths of up to 12 meters and nearly a meter in diameter.
Piling works commenced on January 17 and are scheduled for completion by June, alongside ongoing earthworks expected to continue throughout 2024. As part of the earthworks, trucks are transporting 200,000 cubic meters of fill material to the site, sufficient to fill 80 Olympic-size swimming pools. This material is being used to construct ramps on either side of the bridge.
The project, which commenced in November 2023 with site establishment and relocation of essential services, progressed towards major construction in January. Once finished, the four-lane overpass will span across the Melbourne-Geelong railway line towards the Princes Freeway, future-proofed for six lanes.
The overpass will not only improve access to surrounding areas for residents but also alleviate traffic congestion in central Werribee, enhancing journey reliability. Additionally, provisions for active transport include shared walking and cycling paths on the bridge and a cycling path underneath.
Expected to be completed by the end of 2025, the overpass is projected to accommodate nearly 29,000 vehicles per day by 2036. A total investment of $114 million from the Victorian and Australian governments is allocated for the project, with Major Road Projects Victoria and construction partner Decmil overseeing its delivery.
Damian Van Dyke, Acting Program Director at Major Road Projects Victoria, expressed gratitude for the community’s patience, emphasizing the project’s importance for the local area’s connectivity and safety. Simon Barnes, Executive General Manager at Decmil, expressed pride in partnering with Major Road Projects Victoria and Victoria’s Big Build Roads for the successful delivery of the project, highlighting Decmil’s track record in the region, including recent projects like the Barwon Heads Road Upgrade – Stage 1.
