Werribee River Aqueduct Replacement
An architect's impression of the new aqueduct
Melbourne Water is replacing a sewer aqueduct that crosses the Werribee River, north of the Princes Freeway in Werribee (Melway Ref. 244 J1).
This work will commence in January 2009 and is expected to finish by mid-2010.
A temporary diversion of the Federation Trail and Werribee River Trail will be in place over this time to ensure cyclists can still ride as safely as possible between Melbourne, Geelong and Werribee, using the Federation Trail. These diversions will be in place from 22 January 2009.
The Pipelines Alliance consulted Wyndham City Council, VicRoads and Bicycle Victoria in developing these temporary diversions to maintain safety and minimise inconvenience for cyclists and pedestrians. Wyndham City Council and VicRoads, as owners of the Federation Trail and Werribee River Trail, have approved these diversion routes.
The Pipelines Alliance is building the new aqueduct as a bicycle and pedestrian bridge to help connect existing and planned shared paths, parks and residential developments in the area.
Details of the temporary diversions are outlined in Map 1 - Federation Trail temporary diversions (PDF, 840kb).
Project updates
Route changes for cyclists
Geelong to Melbourne cyclists
Geelong to Melbourne - exit the Princes Freeway (Melbourne-bound) at an alternative exit. The alternative exit is 100 metres further along the Freeway from the existing exit.
See Map 2 - Werribee River temporary diversions (PDF, 1.5mb).
Melbourne to Geelong - will be diverted across the Duncans Road overpass in Werribee to access the Princes Freeway (Geelong-bound). Cyclists will need to use the freeway shoulder with care from Duncans Road. Cyclists are advised to dismount to cross Duncans Road.
See Map 3 - Duncans Road temporary diversions (PDF, 1.4mb)
Melbourne to Werribee cyclists
Melbourne to Werribee - use the existing Federation Trail to the Werribee River and then follow signs along an alternative connection to the Werribee River Trail.
See Map 3 - Duncans Road temporary diversions (PDF, 1.4mb)
Werribee to Melbourne - use the existing Werribee River Trail and then follow signs along an alternative connection to the Federation Trail. Cyclists then follow the existing Federation Trail to Melbourne.
See Map 3 - Duncans Road temporary diversions (PDF, 1.4mb)
Werribee to Geelong cyclists
Werribee to Geelong - use the existing Werribee River Trail and follow signs to an alternative connection to the Federation Trail. Note there is no access to the Princes Freeway (Geelong-bound) at the Werribee River. Cyclists are diverted along the Federation Trail to Duncans Road where they can access the Princes Freeway for Geelong. This is a diversion of approximately 5 kilometres.
See Map 2 - Werribee River temporary diversions (PDF, 1.5mb) and Map 3 - Duncans Road temporary diversions (PDF, 1.4mb)
Cyclists travelling from Geelong to Werribee - exit the Princes Freeway (Melbourne-bound) at an alternative exit. The alternative exit is 100 metres further along the Freeway from the existing exit.
See Map 2 - Werribee River temporary diversions (PDF, 1.5mb).
An architect's impression of the new aqueduct with pedestrian and bicycle bridge
Reinstatement of site and bicycle paths
The new bicycle and pedestrian bridge will be built with platforms for viewing the heritage-listed Melbourne Outfall Sewer structure and a new resting place near an existing water fountain on the Federation Trail.
The site will also be revegetated and landscaped to minimise the visual impact of the structure using indigenous species consistent with Melbourne Water and Wyndham City Council requirements.
Why are we replacing the Werribee Aqueduct?
The Werribee Aqueduct takes up to 60% of Melbourne's sewage to the Western Treatment Plant in Werribee and is a critical asset in Melbourne's sewer system.
The current aqueduct has reached the end of its life and must be replaced.
This project is part of a major, five-year program of works to improve Melbourne's sewerage and drainage systems. The program is being delivered by the Pipelines Alliance, a partnership between Fulton Hogan, Jaydo Construction, GHD and Melbourne Water.
Constructing the new aqueduct
A new aqueduct - measuring 5.4 metres in height and 5.4 metres in width and spanning 70 metres across the Werribee River - will be constructed and the existing concrete aqueduct will be removed. The heritage-listed, red brick aqueduct built in the 1890s will be protected and will not be removed.
Contact us
Telephone: 1800 108 636 (toll free)
Contact us online
Downloads
- Community Bulletin December 2009 (PDF, 114kb)
- Construction Update 1 (PDF, 227kb)
- Map 1 - Federation Trail Temporary Diversions (PDF, 840kb)
- Map 2 - Werribee River Temporary Diversions (PDF, 1.5mb)
- Map 3 - Duncans Road Temporary Diversions (PDF, 1.4mb)
You will need Adobe Acrobat to access the above PDF documents. 