9 September 2010
Frankston Tunnelling Nearing Completion
A major tunnelling operation under Frankston to reduce flooding is nearing completion.
The tunnel boring machine, “Sandy”, has spent the past year creating a 1.5km underground drainage pipeline from Monash University to Kananook Creek.
Project Director, Phil Corluka, said the $41 million Frankston Drainage Improvement project was designed to significantly reduce the incidence of flooding in the city’s central activity district.
“Sandy is close to completing her third and final tunnel drive from Beauty Park to Kananook Creek,” Mr Corluka said.
“Sandy has to travel under the Nepean Highway before she can complete her journey and a section of the highway will have to be closed for a short period.”
Some southbound lanes between Davey Street and the Frankston oval will be closed from Wednesday 15 September until Monday 20 September.
All northbound lanes of the highway between Pier Promenade and Davey Street, and the left hand turn from Pier Promenade (west) to the highway (north) will be closed from 10am Friday 17 September until 5.30am on Monday 20 September.
Route detours will be implemented and the speed limit will be reduced to 40km per hour, before and during the length of the Nepean Highway lane closures.
Mr Corluka said Melbourne Water was working closely with Frankston City Council, VicRoads and transport operators to minimise disturbance to the community as much as possible.
“A Construction Traffic Management Plan has also been prepared and a traffic management crew will be on site throughout the Nepean Highway lane closures to ensure traffic runs smoothly and safely.
“I would like to thank people for their patience as these critical infrastructure works are completed,” Mr Corluka said.
The Frankston Drainage Improvement project is being constructed by the Pipelines Alliance, a partnership between Melbourne Water, Fulton Hogan, Jaydo, and GHD.
Tunnelling is expected to be completed before the end of this month, and the whole project including tunnel lining operations is on track to be finished early next year.
Work is also nearing completion, two months ahead of schedule, on a $7 million project at Seaford Beach to replace a stormwater pipeline that runs from Kananook Creek into Port Phillip Bay. The Riviera outlet helps to protect properties between the Seaford outlet and the Frankston central activity district from flooding.
Media Contact: Gavin Rainsford – 03 9235 1587 M – 0400 690 502