"It's a common question," said Sgt. [3] Engineers proposed putting ten concrete blocks, each weighing about 8 tons, onto the girders to bend them into the correct position. View 3 images The Sydney Harbour Bridge, although iconic, isn't as busy as the West Gate Bridge in Melbourne. Vic Road also advises drivers to look out for detour signs around the area and allow for extra travel time. Drivers who miss the Princes Freeway exit can get back on to the Princes Freeway via Boundary Road, Little Boundary Road and Geelong Road, while those wanting to return to the M80 Ring Road can exit and turn right onto Kororoit Creek Road, then return to the Princes Freeway and exit at the M80 Ring Road. The bridge is windswept as there are no significant obstructing terrain features for some distance, particularly in the quadrant from south to west, a common wind direction. [16] Additional strengthening of the structure had to be designed for the erection because the stresses could exceed those of the in-service condition. It is part of one of the busiest road corridors in Australia. [42] A 2000 Royal Melbourne Hospital study on people who jumped from the bridge found at least 62 cases between 1991 and 1998. Don't speed up to 90 or even more when changing lanes Reply The bridge passes over Westgate Park, a large environmental and recreational reserve created during the bridge's construction, and carries up to 200,000 vehicles per day. 'West Gate', Bill Hitchings, 1979, Outback Press. Although the maintenance happens every year, this years closures are more extensive because of the nature of the work being conducted. If a trooper catches you changing lanes on the westbound span of the bridge, you can get a $136 ticket, Prouty said. For those heading into the city, more public transport services will be added during this time. Those travelling across the West Gate Bridge can use either carriageway at the split, as all four lanes will join up again past Williamstown Road. Drivers should expect congestion in peak periods and allow an extra 20 minutes travel. If you are heading out of the city and using the Princes Freeway to get to Geelong, Werribee or Laverton, as you approach Grieve Parade, follow the signage and ensure you get into the correct lanes, which will now be the two left lanes. Get weekly updates with the latest car news and reviews. Credit: 7NEWS. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. The disaster remains one of Australias worst industrial accidents. On 15 October 1970, a 112-metre section of the bridge gave way, killing 35 workers and injuring 18 more. To minimise impacts to drivers, Drive also understands works on the West Gate Tunnel a much-anticipated 6.8km alternative to the West Gate Bridge wont ramp up until January, after the West Gate Bridge maintenance has been completed. Imgr link to both. The joint venture contractor engaged Flint and Neill of London for this and their design was proof-checked by the Directorate of Engineering. Seven people survived the 58-metre (190ft) fall. [25], On 5 August 2007, it was reported that the Victorian Government was planning a $240 million project to identify and eliminate structural weaknesses in the bridge, with specific concerns including crash barriers, cracking, corrosion and potential buckling. From 5am on Monday, February 13, the outbound M80 Ring Road and Princes Freeway exits on the West Gate Freeway will change and drivers will need to adjust their usual route, with those travelling from the West Gate Bridge towards Geelong, Werribee or Laverton required to use the left-hand lanes to exit onto the Princes Freeway, while those Home - Department of Transport and Planning, Victoria State Government logo, /coronavirus-disease-covid-19 child pages, Ports safety and environment management plans, Improving Traffic Flow From Clayton South To Chelsea Heights, Leading pandemic therapeutics centre in Melbourne, Motorists Urged To Buckle Up And Drive Safely, New Weekend Bus Services For Lancefield And Romsey Routes, Road Maintenance Blitz Rolls Out Across Regional Victoria, Three Firms Shortlisted To Build SRL East Tunnels, Tourist And Heritage Rail Sector Receives Further Funding, Yarra Trams Invites Victorian Artists To Design Pride Tram, One Hundredth VLocity Train Hits The 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On the following morning, 16 October, Sir Henry Bolte (Premier of Victoria) announced that a Royal Commission would be set up immediately to look into the cause of the disaster. The Proof Engineer was Professor Dr-Ing. As you approach the split, the 4 lanes will split into 2x 2 lanes, and will join up again before the West Gate Bridge. The freeway corridor (including the bridge itself) carries a very high volume and occupancy of traffic: a total of between 180,000 and 200,000 cars, trucks, and motorcycles use it per day, according to VicRoads. The freeway corridor (including the bridge itself) carries a very high volume and occupancyof traffic: a total of between 180,000 and 200,000 cars, trucks, and motorcycles use it per day, according to VicRoads. We do know for sure that it is the absolute quietest time of year on that stretch of the network, with an expected drop-off in traffic of around 25 per cent. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. [32], On 11 March 2014, a 10-metre (33ft) high artist-designed flag was raised on the western side of the bridge as part of the 'Melbourne Now' exhibition, On Top of the World: Flags for Melbourne. On walking up the bridge he was reported to have said to the VicRoads operator via the emergency phone, "You better get someone here before I jump". The lanes will join up again before Millers Road, so you just need to stay in your lane. As you approach the Williamstown Road inbound exit, two of the four lanes will veer right. He independently checked the re-design of the West Gate Bridge in accordance with the recommendations of the Royal Commission. It is said that they are to remind engineers of the consequences of their errors. You can see the longer lines between the two left-most lanes, much longer and more solid-looking than the other lane dividing markings. Unfortunately, the way the bridge is constructed its not a set-and-forget. The main river span is 336 metres (1,102ft) in length, and the height above the water is 58 metres (190ft). [23] Costing $350,000 to install and $15,000 a year to maintain,[24] the flags were unfurled on 24 September 2008. Theres no need to change lanes. The weight of those blocks caused the span to buckle, which was a sign of structural failure. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Drivers are advised to change lanes early, as they approach Grieve Parade. Shortly after Millers Road, two of the four inbound lanes will veer left, creating two separate carriageways. Drivers should note that: Signed detours will be in place. I know the bridge would have high tolerances built in yet remember the day it collapsed during construction back in the 70's. A serious collision between a suspected stolen car and a truck on the West Gate Bridge that closed outbound lanes from mid-morning on Tuesday has left a man with critical injuries. We are acutely aware of how disruptive and annoying this is and because of that were throwing every resource we have on it.. Motorists travelling on West Gate Freeway will face changes in traffic conditions over the coming weeks as part of spring works. can you change lanes on the westgate bridge. Around 74 per cent of those who jumped from the bridge were male, with an average age of 33. It carries eight lanes of traffic. When you are driving at a speed of 19 mph or faster, the Lane Change Assist system will issue a visual warning sign in the exterior mirrors if another vehicle is quickly approaching you from behind or driving into your blind . Cable-stayed bridge across the Yarra River in Melbourne, Australia, View of the bridge with a River Cruise Boat passing underneath. The Westgate bridge will be closed after Christmas and early into the new year, causing major delays. Melbourne: 2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise. As the bolts were removed, the bridge snapped back and the span collapsed. As it is the only main direct link between Melbourne's CBD and the West, it is frequently congested during the morning and afternoon peaks and is constantly busy due to the number and type of vehicles coming in and out of the Port of Melbourne. The bridge was originally tolled but tolls were abolished in 1985 because drivers were using other routes to avoid the toll.[1]. The Westgate bridge will be closed after Christmas and early into the new year, causing major delays. A subreddit for Melburnians and Melbourne enthusiasts! Six twisted fragments of the collapsed bridge can be found in the West Gate garden at the engineering faculty of Monash University, Clayton campus. Reason being it is not possible for the cameras to get an accurate speed reading due to the constant change in the way that the bridge sways due to traffic/weather. From 10pm Friday 5 May to 5 am Monday 5 June, there will be one lane closed inbound and the lanes to the West Gate Freeway will be split in two around a new worksite: Princes Freeway drivers travelling inbound to Geelong Road should remain in the left lane to use the exit ramp to Geelong Road.