West Gate Bridge – Pier 15

West Gate Bridge – Pier 15 Scaffolding Innovation and Industrial Coating

The West Gate Bridge is a steel box girder, cable-stayed bridge in Melbourne, Victoria spanning the Yarra River just north of its mouth into Port Phillip. It carries the West Gate Freeway and is a vital link between Melbourne CBD and the western suburbs. The high-span bridge was built to allow large cargo ships to access the docks in the Yarra River. It is one of the highest road decks in Australia, clearing the water at 58 metres and has a total length of 2.58km.

The requirements at Pier 15 required SISto provide a 47 metre-high stick-built scaffold to the spine and wing sections. This scaffold project was engineered, then proof engineered, and surveyed with IFC drawings. To assist with efficiencies on this project SIS supplied its own cranes, which enabled the team to be more self-sufficient during the build of the stick scaffold. We worked closely with plant and equipment at high levels and with 90 tonne cranes in the delivery of scaffolding and equipment. 

As this project had high-risk elements and involved working with heights, SIS took it upon themselves to offer several VOC trainings and ensure that all scaffolders working on Pier 15 completed rescue training. The foundations of the scaffolding were complex as it had to go around the alimak, through the security fencing and the temporary roofing, and then fall towards the ground site of Pier 15 – which was a two-metre drop.

This foundation was crucial for the finished scaffold at the top. Due to the elements of the structures encountered around Pier 15, the Stilcon Scaffolding team had to do extensive surveying and engineering to get the 14.5-metre x 45-metre foundations right. The team also had to consider the grillage canter levered platform where the animal steps off, as well as the structural stairs and steel ward platform around Pier 15, which is approximately 40 metres in the air. The engineering and design were exceptional and industry-leading.

Once at 35 metres, the scaffolders had to check the design of the scaffold, referencing the IFC drawings, and then raise an RFI (request for information) if needed. This was due to the potential additional needs identified once on site to get around the steel structures at 40 metres. The requirements included one working-level scaffold for the team of painters to work from a stable, consistent deck while completing the painting project. To create this, the scaffold had to consist of cantilevers using ladder beams, needing to support the grillage to take the weight of the access scaffold, and provide a 450kg medium-duty scaffold for the painters to work off.

The Stilcon Scaffolding team acknowledged they were working on one of the most iconic structures in Melbourne. The most unique element they faced was working at such a great height, which does not happen often. The success of delivering the scaffolding to meet all the client’s requirements is a great testament to the teams’ abilities.