The CityLink Tulla Widening Project has undergone a project-wide review and site inspections of overhead and road-site assets after a Tullamarine Freeway sign fell in January.
The review confirmed that there are no ongoing public safety concerns associated with the Projects’ construction.
The extensive investigation into the sign falling also confirmed the preliminary finding that the absence of ‘stiffener plates’ inside the gantry the sign was mounted on, was the primary cause.
The investigation, which has been independently reviewed and verified, highlights that the missing stiffener plates are the result of failures in the quality control and inspection processes during fabrication of the gantry.
While on-site audits show no signs of deterioration or stress, to ensure the signage meets a 100 year life-span, similar top-mounted signs installed as part of the Project will be strengthened.
Transurban Program Director, Major Projects Victoria, David Clements, reiterated safety is their top priority and have taken a conservative approach in response to the findings.
“Safety is our upmost priority and we don’t want to see anything like this occur in the future, which is why we have taken additional precautionary steps,” Mr Clements said.
“We expanded our initial signage audit to a project-wide design review and site inspection of all overhead and roadside assets built by CPB Contractors as part of the CityLink Tulla Widening Project.
“These inspections have not identified any ongoing public safety concerns and we are committed to working with government and industry to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
Signage rectification works, including reinstalling removed signage and the additional strengthening works will commence in the coming months.
