THE West Gate Bridge could crack and corrode under traffic loads that have surged ‘‘beyond all expectations’’ unless the state government maintains funding of more than $150million over the next 15 years, according to a confidential report.
The VicRoads report, presented to Roads Minister Terry Mulder in February last year, said ongoing strengthening works to combat fatigue cracking were critical to cater for soaring numbers of trucks using the bridge, including B-doubles and semi-trailers.
The report, obtained by the opposition under freedom of information laws, has prompted fresh calls for a second river crossing to reduce traffic loads over the West Gate.
While the bridge was safe in the short term, the report stated it had been operating with ‘‘safety margins and probabilities of failure’’ below ‘‘current desirable internationally accepted standards’’.
‘‘Growth in average vehicle weight and traffic volume, particularly the growth in recent years, will continue to exacerbate fatigue crack issues that have been a feature of this bridge since it was opened to traffic.’’
The report stated maintenance costs of more than $10 million a year would be required over the next 15 years to ensure the bridge’s safety.
VicRoads has ramped up its program to repair cracks and strengthen the bridge, after cracking was identified in the concrete piers supporting the bridge.
But opposition infrastructure spokesman and Tarneit MP Tim Pallas said the structural integrity of the bridge was worrying, particularly after VicRoads named the West Gate Bridge as one of Melbourne’s biggest traffic trouble spots. VicRoads has predicted an extra 18,000 vehicles a day will cross the bridge within five years, which includes an extra 1223 trucks, Mr Pallas said.
In addition to a second river crossing, the the former Labor government’s proposed $5 billion WestLink tunnel, Mr Pallas is calling on the government to create a truck action plan and reinstate Labor’s intermodal hub strategy.
RoadSafe West Gate spokesman Jim Giddings said a second river crossing was the only answer to cater for a soaring number of cars coming from Melbourne’s western growth areas.
‘‘Places like Werribee are experiencing unprecedented growth, and this growth isn’t going to go away; this means there’ll be increased usage of the freeway,’’ he said.
Mr Giddings said projected traffic growth would lead to a higher road toll on the West Gate Freeway. ‘‘During peak hour, the West Gate Freeway is already at capacity, so additional growth would surely cause further driver frustration and accidents will occur.’’
Mr Mulder said the previous government’s neglect of the bridge had allowed it to deteriorate to such a state that problems were now becoming apparent. ‘‘The Coalition government has a plan for Victoria to meet the backlog of works left by the previous government and to meet the growth into the future,’’ he said.
‘‘These are all massive projects costing billions of dollars and need careful planning.
‘‘With the cost of these projects Victoria cannot do this alone, and the support of the Commonwealth is also needed.’’
VicRoads’ regional services executive director, Steve Brown, said work had recently been completed to strengthen the bridge and improve traffic flow in the medium term along the bridge, Princes Freeway and West Gate Freeway.
A comprehensive inspection and maintenance regime was also in place to make sure the bridge was safe, he said.
