Jacobs Engineering Group, through its joint venture with Aurecon, has secured a contract to carry out the engineering design for the $5.1bn West Gate Tunnel Project in Melbourne, Australia.

The contract was awarded by a consortium of John Holland and CPB Contractors.

The West Gate Tunnel Project, which will serve as an alternative to the West Gate Bridge, has received all environmental and planning approvals.

Jacobs Buildings and Infrastructure Asia Pacific senior vice-president Patrick Hill said: “This is a significant transport infrastructure project for Melbourne and confirms the continued buoyancy of the Australian market.

“The project, which will be supported by more than 140 Jacobs staff, further establishes Jacobs’ place as one of the world’s leading transportation and infrastructure service providers.”

“This is a significant transport infrastructure project for Melbourne and confirms the continued buoyancy of the Australian market.”

The design comprises two new three-lane tunnels, broadening of West Gate Freeway from eight to 12 lanes, and 14km of new and upgraded cycling and walking paths.

The project will also see the installation of special walls to reduce noise and minimise disturbance to the local community.

Construction works are expected to begin this year, with the tunnels expected to open in 2022.

Upon completion, the project is estimated to remove thousands of trucks from the residential streets in the inner west, thereby reducing traffic congestion.

The Western Distributor Authority (WDA) is responsible for the delivery of the West Gate Tunnel Project on behalf of the Victorian Government and is working in collaboration with Transurban to complete it as a public-private partnership.