Deal could get Vic tunnel back on track
A new deal could spell the end of a long-running dispute over where to dump tonnes of contaminated soil from the troubled West Gate Tunnel project.
Toll road operator Transurban, the state government's partner in the project, on Thursday confirmed it had signed a contract with Hi-Quality in Bulla to construct a purpose-built facility to collect, treat and dispose of the contaminated soil.
Hi-Quality's tip, north of Melbourne Airport, was nominated by the tunnel's builders, CPB Contractors and John Holland as the preferred site for the soil.
Two other sites were also considered.
Hi-Quality estimates up to 200 jobs will be created during construction of the facility, while 50 workers will be hired to operate the soil site once completed in about six months.
"Transurban and its builder have had over four years to resolve this issue, and while we're pleased they have finally made a decision, they need to get on with setting up the site and getting the tunnel boring Machines going," a state government spokeswoman told AAP.
The $6.7 billion tunnel, which will be an alternative to the city's heavily-congested West Gate Bridge, was originally scheduled to be completed in 2022.
But tunnelling was delayed in 2019 after soil contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - dangerous chemicals that have been widely used in firefighting foam - were discovered at the construction site.
Hundreds of workers on the project have lost their jobs because of the delay.
Testing shows the levels of PFAS in the soil is expected to be low and at safe levels for the community and the environment.
