Sterling Infrastructure has completed a comprehensive structural inspection of Melbourne’s West Gate Bridge steel section for the Department of Transport and Planning, assessing condition across all 162 internal cells to support informed maintenance planning and asset management.
The challenge
The 848-metre steel bridge contains 54 steel boxes with 162 individual internal cells that needed systematic inspection. Critical structural elements including deck plates, support beams, internal webs, connection points and cable systems all needed detailed evaluation, while working within confined spaces throughout the structure.
Our approach
Our experienced structural engineers delivered a systematic program covering seven inspection types across all 54 steel boxes, using electronic recording throughout.
- General visual assessment to establish baseline conditions across all 162 cells
- Detailed close visual inspection of deck plates, webs, stiffeners, splices and diaphragms
- Specialised assessment of post-tensioning cables for movement and wear
- Tower inspections across both East and West tower sections
All confined space work followed departmental safety guidelines, with photographic documentation and progressive reporting throughout the 12-week program.
The outcome
Progressive reporting enabled ongoing client review, and the final assessment delivered systematic findings with actionable maintenance priorities, establishing a detailed baseline for ongoing asset management of this essential Melbourne transport connection.