For the first time in 40 years, the West Gate Bridge is set to get a fresh coat of paint.
But footy fans hoping to see the bridge painted in their team’s colours will be disappointed, durability requirements will restrict the colour choice.
Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan today called for expressions of interest to repaint the entire steel structure, a job expected to take two and a half years and more than 55,000 litres of paint.
Starting later this year, a dedicated team of specialists will be perched high above Melbourne’s skyline to give the bridge a facelift, with the painting project expected to create an additional 50 jobs.
VicRoads regularly inspects and paints sections of the bridge, but this will be the first time in four decades the entire steel structure will be stripped and refreshed.
The paint job is an important part of maintaining the bridge and protecting the steel structure from the effects of sea water, wind and Melbourne’s weather.
A similar shade of grey, anti-corrosive paint will continue to be used for most of the bridge, with the bridge props to be painted white to give some contrast.
As part of the maintenance project, the existing surface will be stripped back to bare metal, and several coats of paint will be applied.
The successful specialist contractor will use a combination of brushes and spray guns to paint over 80,000 square metres.
VicRoads expects there will be little impact on drivers during the work, with most of the painting happening below the bridge deck, keeping traffic disruptions to a minimum.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan
“The West Gate Bridge is a Melbourne icon and the current colour scheme has held up well against the elements - but after 40 years, it’s time for a spruce up.”
“Painting the West Gate Bridge will be no small task. It will take a team of more than 50 people two and a half years and 55,000 litres of paint to get this important maintenance work done.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020