Westgate Tunnel Path

The West Gate Tunnel will open a new avenue for automotive travel from Melbourne’s western suburbs into the CBD as an alternative to the West Gate Bridge. The West Gate Tunnel project consortium engaged Diadem to provide a wayfinding and signage design solution that would complement the landscape architecture and facilitate pedestrian and cyclist access along the tunnel’s length. The project will also deliver upgrades, and new connections to the Federation Trail shared walking and cycling path. As the path traverses through many municipalities, Diadem undertook an extensive consultation process with five local councils and Transurban and VicRoads. Throughout the process, the aim was to develop a unified signage suite that would connect 14 kilometres of the Federation Trail, and ultimately promote more pedestrian and cycling traffic into the CBD. The most successful wayfinding strategies are always user-led. Diadem investigated the diverse people likely to use the shared pathway, including a range of walkers and cyclists, factoring viewing height and viewing speeds. These considerations influenced where sign messaging would be placed on the signage system, including text, arrows and pictograms along with familiar blue visual cues. Diadem tested numerous materials for sustainability, practicability and durability. These would form the backbone of the modular sleeve blade signs, with individual signs being easily replaceable. Deteriorative factors such as the weather were also considered, as well as ensuring the signs could be safeguarded against vandalism. With Diadem’s extensive supply chain, sourcing parts to trial was straightforward and prompt. Directional clarity drove every decision from design to materiality, with all stakeholders kept informed at every stage of this ongoing project.