Client
CPB Contractors and John Holland Joint Venture (CPBJH JV)
Location
Melbourne, Victoria
Sector
Infrastructure & Transport
Services Delivered
Construction Phase ServicesFoundation & Retention Design ServicesGeotechnical Investigation & Site Characterisation
The challenge.
The West Gate Tunnel Project in Melbourne is a city shaping transport infrastructure project designed to improve freight efficiency, reduce congestion and provide a vital second river crossing linking the western suburbs with the CBD and Port of Melbourne. Construction activities included major bridge structures, elevated road sections and complex staging in constrained urban and industrial environments. Large crawler and mobile cranes were required to undertake heavy lifts in areas underlain by variable ground conditions, including soft and reclaimed soils. These conditions created a significant challenge in providing safe and reliable crane access and lift capacity while maintaining construction programme and managing ground performance risks.
The approach.
FSG was engaged to deliver temporary works design and construction supervision for crane working platforms and piled ground beams supporting large crane lifts across the project. Notable lifts included use of Australia’s largest crawler crane, with a massive 1,600 T capacity, and the Crane Industry Council of Australia’s 2024 ‘Lift of the Year’ involving a girder install over Moonee Ponds Creek. Our approach combined geotechnical engineering judgement with detailed analysis to develop practical, site-specific platform solutions that responded to ground conditions, crane load demands and construction sequencing. Designs considered bearing capacity, settlement performance and constructability, drawing on FSG’s specialist experience and contemporary industry research in temporary working platforms. FSG engineers worked closely with the construction team to review lift requirements, verify platform performance and provide on-site support to confirm that constructed platforms met design intent and safety expectations.
The outcome.
FSG’s involvement supported the safe and efficient delivery of critical crane lifts on the West Gate Tunnel Project by reducing ground related risk and enabling reliable crane operations in challenging conditions. The working platforms provided confidence in lift performance while supporting construction sequencing and minimising disruption. Through targeted temporary works design and active construction support, FSG contributed to maintaining safety standards and supporting the successful delivery of a complex, city shaping transport project.