The West Gate Tunnel Project is one of Melbourne’s largest transport upgrades, delivering a safer and more efficient alternative to the West Gate Bridge. The works include widening the West Gate Freeway from eight to twelve lanes between the M80 and Williamstown Road, constructing a new tunnel beneath Yarraville, building a new bridge over the Maribyrnong River, and creating an elevated road along Footscray Road that connects directly to the Port of Melbourne, CityLink and the western edge of the CBD.

A major feature of the project is its twin tunnel system, delivered using two tunnel boring machines with 15.6-metre cutter heads, creating approximately 6 kilometres of dual tunnels.

Once construction is complete, Project Co will manage operations and maintenance of the new assets through to 2045, with the State granting Transurban tolling rights for the West Gate Tunnel.

Services Provided

North, in joint venture with Tracey Brunstrom & Hammond and Wood & Grieve Engineers, was appointed as the Independent Payment Certifier for the West Gate Tunnel Project. As lead JV partner, North provided project management and team leadership across all certification activities — coordinating administration, specialist input, WHS and QA oversight, and detailed program review.

Throughout the project, the JV delivered independent assurance on the progress and quality of works, assessing and certifying physical construction, plant and materials, temporary works and non-physical deliverables. The team issued formal payment certificates, financial reporting, and cashflow analysis, and ensured unfixed plant and key equipment were properly insured, secured and compliant with the IPC Deed, D&C Subcontract and Security of Payment requirements.

The project navigated significant challenges, including COVID-19 restrictions that halted site inspections and disrupted delivery. North’s collaborative approach allowed assessment processes to continue, working with all parties to agree program adjustments, validate delay impacts and resolve D&C claims in a way that mitigated risk and protected project value.

Our team provided continuous monitoring and monthly reporting to ProjectCo, including recovery strategies, earned value analysis, and forecast completion modelling aligned with PMI methodologies. This proactive oversight gave ProjectCo confidence in project performance and supported informed decision-making through a complex and evolving delivery environment.