Melbourne Welcomes New Landmark: Australia's West Gate Tunnel Opens with Chinese Participation

On December 14 local time, the West Gate Tunnel in Australia, constructed with the participation of Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Group (ZPMC), was officially opened to traffic. This key local infrastructure project is expected to create 6,000 jobs. Upon completion, the tunnel will reduce commute times between Melbourne's western suburbs and the city center by 20 minutes, serving as a vital transport link and becoming a new landmark for Melbourne.

Located in the coastal city of Melbourne in southern Australia, the West Gate Tunnel project includes highway widening, tunnel system construction, river-crossing bridges, and a multi-level transport network. ZPMC was responsible for the production and delivery of approximately 41,500 tons of steel structures, including seven main bridges, four pedestrian bridges, and four supporting pier structures.

The project adheres to Australian standards and meets the technical specifications of Victoria's road authority, Vicroads 630 and 631. All steel structures were manufactured to the highest Australian standards, covering surface preparation, cleanliness, sandblasting, and coating. The main bridge features a complex three-dimensional double-curved design with bolted connections, presenting significant design and manufacturing challenges.

ZPMC utilized 3D modeling and measurement software to achieve pre-assembly of bridge segments, ensuring on-site installation efficiency. During construction, the company successfully overcame technical hurdles in manufacturing complex spatial double-curved bridges and truss bridges, as well as large-section bolted connections for cap beams, earning high praise from contractors and clients. This project highlights the strength of "Made in China."

The West Gate Tunnel marks ZPMC's debut in Australia's steel bridge market, making it one of the first Chinese enterprises to enter this sector. Over the years, ZPMC has contributed to iconic global bridge projects, including the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in the U.S., the Queensferry Crossing in the UK, Norway's Hardanger Bridge, Croatia's Pelješac Bridge, Mozambique's Maputo Bridge, and Côte d'Ivoire's Cocody Bridge.

The successful opening of the West Gate Tunnel paves the way for the international expansion of ZPMC's steel structure business.