Roads Feb-March 2013 Sample

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2013

Pipeline & Water Technology

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Conference Guide

8th Australian Road Engineering & Maintanance Conference

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2013

SPECIAL FeatureS Study into worksite dangers

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Peninsula Link up and running

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Road maintenance heading for new era

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AsphaltReview FeAtures includE: CEOs report

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Chairmans report

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Future directions for road safety

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Upgrading motor racing icon

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AAPA training

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CIVIL WORKS Why engineers must know their place

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Changing face of compaction

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Award winning Victoria Park tunnel

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Sustainability in bridge design

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Feature Sections First announcement 15th AAPA International Flexible Pavements Conference 2013 The Australian Asphalt Pavement Association will conduct its International Flexible Pavement Conference in Brisbane, Qld in September 2013. The conference will attract 300 asset owners, consultants, engineers and contractors from around the world.

If you would like to express interest in speaking, register for updates or enquire about sponsorship and exhibition please contact the AAPA Conference Convenor: Scott Matthews.

Email: scott.matthews@commstrat.com.au or phone 03 8534 5004

www.aapaconference.com.au

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Pipeline and water technology

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Stormwater Review ‌ page 73 Road Safety

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Compaction 86

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FEATURE

Worksite/traffic interface – what really happens

The risks posed to workers on roadside worksites from passing traffic have been highlighted in research undertaken by the Australian Asphalt and Pavement Association – one of the key representative bodies in the Australian road construction industry.

The preliminary findings of the study – undertaken by Sonia GrotaersClose – were presented at the AAPA Health and Safety Conference last year. The study focused on what really happens at the interface between short-term roadside worksites and the passing traffic.

The final report is to be released soon and will be described in full in the next edition of Roads. However; with the recent deaths in Queensland and Tasmania of road workers, it is important that information is provided as soon as possible to help to ensure that no further deaths occur. The two deaths bring the total of roadside workers’ deaths to 30 since 2000.

Ms Grotaers-Close was seconded from VicRoads to AAPA to undertake the study.

“All too often, we hear that workers working close to traffic are put at risk and this has been further confirmed with the recent deaths of two traffic controllers. We also hear that this risk is because the passing traffic is going too fast. But what really happens?

“And who better to ask than the workers themselves? By understanding what actually happens at these locations we will all be 2

ROADS FEB/MARCH 2013

better able to develop responses, to make a real difference that will reduce the risk to our workers,” Ms Grotaers-Close said.

The study therefore conducted face-to face-interviews with a large number of workers involved in surfacing.

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The results confirmed that the majority of road workers did feel at risk and nervous when they were working close to traffic. However; it was interesting to note that some workers did not feel at risk. Further work is being undertaken to identify the work functions carried out by those crews who responded that they never or only infrequently felt at risk. It may be that those workers drive heavy plant. However; it may also be that some of them have become complacent.

The study also found that of the workers surveyed over a quarter of them had been hit by a vehicle or projectile. These may not have resulted in serious injury, but it is likely that each one could have had serious effects. For example, two of these were glass bottles thrown from passing vehicles. And there were many more reports of near misses from vehicles or projectiles.

“The results of the survey are currently being examined, but it clearly highlights that where there is little separation between roadworkers and traffic, there is a risk of injury to the workers and the passing motorist. It was also noted that some pedestrians enter worksites, putting them at risk.”

As expected, most workers cited speed as the most common cause of incidents or near misses. However; it is likely that speed is only one factor. Other factors include a lack of driver attention, driver confusion, worker complacency and, importantly, the confined space that road workers work in.

Speed is certainly important as it makes any incident far more serious.

Even at 40kph, the chance of death is more than 25% and serious injury more than 85%. However; the cause of the incident is more likely to be the driver. Some drivers appear confused by the signage or distracted by; for example, using their mobile phone. Other drivers ignore the signs and traffic controllers’ instructions as they are either impatient, aggressive or possibly under the influence of drugs. As an example of what happens at a worksite/traffic boundary, one driver of a high-powered car kept blowing the car’s horn as the car in front was doing the 40kph posted speed limit. As soon as he could, that driver accelerated quickly past.

As an example of driver behaviour (either intentional or accidental) workers were asked how frequently they observed bollards or cones being hit. Nearly 50% of workers reported that these were hit daily by vehicles.

Equally surprising was that 35% of workers reported that they or other workers entered the traffic stream without looking. In many cases this was as road workers were concentrating on their work and inadvertently stepped into the traffic lane. In many cases, workers may not even have realised they had done this. However; some workers also advised that the confined space of many short term worksites required that they had to enter the traffic steam on occasions without looking.

“As expected, most workers cited speed as the most common cause of incidents or near misses. However; it is likely that speed is only one factor.

Other factors include a lack of driver attention, driver confusion, worker complacency and, importantly, the confined space that road workers work in.”

The results of the survey are currently being examined, but it clearly highlights that where there is little separation between roadworkers and traffic, there is a risk of injury to the workers and the passing motorist. It was also noted that some pedestrians enter worksites, putting them at risk.

This study was undertaken on workers involved in road surfacing.

But the results would apply equally to any worker working close to traffic. These could be workers involved in electric and water service maintenance, furniture removalists etc.

A summary of the full report will be included in the next edition of Roads.

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3rd Local Government & Public Sector

Building Maintenance & ManageMentConference 19-20 November 2013 | The Hotel Windsor | Melbourne www . buildingmaintenanceconference . com . au

About the ConferenCe This practical conference will cover all the key issues relating to the maintenance and management of Local Government, Government and Public Sector buildings. Many of these buildings can be small in scale and due to this have particular maintenance and management requirements. Their particular use also often creates particular demands.

This year’s conference expects to attract 150+ building maintenance managers/officers, leisure centre managers/officers, facility managers, engineers, surveyors, consultants and building asset managers over two days.

A comprehensive conference program will include two speaking streams to allow for a wide coverage of different building types and uses, rural and urban locations as well as issues that will be addressed.

The aim of this conference is to provide practical guidance to all delegates that can be immediately used.

Our conference venue has specially discounted hotel room rates available for all conference participants. Details on the venue facilities, car parking, location and other important delegate information are on the conference website.

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tailor made to your requirements. To obtain a prospectus or for further enquires please contact Scott Matthews. e: scott.matthews@commstrat.com.au t: +61 3 8534 5004

who ShouLd Attend

ConferenCe toPICS As a guide, topics and papers may be in the following areas:

• Building Maintenance Managers and Officers

• Buildings Management

• Facility Managers

• Building Information Modelling

• Leisure Centre Managers/Officers

• Project Delivery and Financing

• Building Asset Managers and Owners

• Maintenance Delivery & Management

• Engineers, Building Surveyors and Consultants

• Design, Management & Operation of Specific Building Types • Energy Efficiency, including Retrofitting

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• Power for Buildings + Facilities

• Contracts and Models

• Local, State and Federal Government

• Building Audits

• Building Condition

• Educational Organisations

• Asset Management

• Building Systems

• Not-For-Profit Organisations

• Green Power

• Smart Buildings

• Art Galleries

• Air conditioning

• Toilets

• Sporting Facilities

• Cleaning

• Ground Maintenance

• Any organisations that are within the broad Public Sector

• Security

• Building Repairs

Super Early Bird Registration | Book now for only $700+gst contact us: p +61 3 8534 5050 e registration@commstrat.com.au

major projects

Peninsula Link opens Victoria’s Peninsula Link freeway opened to traffic on 18 January – the first significant Australian infrastructure milestone for 2013, and an industry first according to Abigroup.

Abigroup Acting Managing Director, David Saxelby, said the project was of major importance and interest to his company and the Victorian Government and industry at large due to the funding model under which it was delivered.

“The road is the first to be delivered in Australia under the Availability PPP model, which has more commonly been used for the delivery of social infrastructure,” Mr Saxelby said.

“Under the model, the private sector is responsible for constructing, financing, operating and maintaining the road, in return for repayments from the government over an agreed term.

“The repayments are subject to successful ongoing operations and maintenance, ensuring that road quality and safety remain high priorities.”

Completion of the $655 million Abigroup contract provides motorists with uninterrupted freeway from Melbourne to Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, reducing travel times and easing traffic congestion on surrounding roads for residents, particularly in busy holiday periods.

The project was completed in just under three years, during which time three million cubic metres of earth was moved, 45 bridge structures were built and 407,800 tonnes of asphalt was laid to complete 27-kilometres of two-lane dual carriageway.

In addition to delivering the construction component of the contract, Abigroup’s sister company – Lend Lease’s infrastructure services business – is responsible for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the road for the next 25 years.

Peninsula Link is the latest infrastructure delivery in Victoria for Abigroup – other completed projects are Geelong Bypass, Pakenham Bypass and Craigieburn Bypass. Interstate projects include the M7 Motorway in New South Wales and the Gateway Upgrade Project in Queensland.

Victorian Premier, Ted Baillieu said it had been about 40 years since Peninsula Link was first touted and marked in the third edition of the Melway as a future road corridor for the state.

“A lot has changed on the Peninsula over this time; with record population growth, Melbourne’s newest freeway will assist these 6

ROADS FEB/MARCH 2013

communities to spend less time in traffic and more time with family and friends,” Mr Baillieu said.

Minister for Public Transport and Roads, Terry Mulder, said a full trip on Peninsula Link would take just 17 minutes, a time saving of around 40 minutes in peak periods.

“It is expected the Frankston Freeway and Moorooduc Highway will also experience up to 30 per cent less traffic, which will make a huge difference to local families and businesses,” Mr Mulder said.

“It is a great achievement for the project to be delivered on time for the Victorian community, despite the significant wet weather that has been experienced over the last three years and I congratulate the Linking Melbourne Authority, Southern Way and Abigroup on an outstanding result.

Mr Mulder said that project company, Southern Way, and Abigroup had been working hard to ensure Melbourne’s newest freeway opened as soon as possible.

He paid tribute to the Frankston, Kingston and Mornington Peninsula Shire Councils and communities for their ongoing patience during construction, and their important contribution to the development of the freeway.

“I am pleased that members of the local community now have the opportunity to reap the access and travel time benefits of this freeway, after some of the short-term inconveniences they have experienced during construction,” Mr Mulder said.

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major projects

WestConnex project up and running Sydney’s multi-billion dollar WestConnex project is underway with tenders let and community consultation finalised.

And the Federal Government has agreed to provide an initial instalment of up to $25 million to advance the project – a 33 kilometre motorway proposal which would link Sydney’s west with the airport and the Port Botany precinct.

The project represents a New South Wales Government commitment to deliver a motorway scheme for Sydney in response to the recommendations from Infrastructure NSW in its State Infrastructure Strategy released in October 2012.

The WestConnex proposal includes an extension of the M4 Motorway, east of North Strathfield and duplication of the M5 East to King Georges Road. It takes in capacity improvements on existing roads and new sections of motorway.

It aims to accommodate the growing transport needs of greater Sydney and is designed to stimulate urban renewal improvements along the Parramatta Road corridor.

State Minister for Roads, Duncan Gay, said highly skilled staff had been recruited to the Sydney Motorways Project Office (SMPO) to develop a detailed business case for WestConnex.

The project office, which brings together experts from across the public and private sectors, has been tasked with delivering the WestConnex business case

by June 2013.

Mr Gay also announced the project office had requested proposals from organisations, pre-qualified on government contract panels, seeking advisory services in: • Traffic modelling; • Financial and economic; • Legal; and • Infrastructure development.

The NSW Government has committed $1.8 billion towards WestConnex – along with a $1.5 billion commitment from the Federal Coalition.

“This is a $10-$13 billion project, so we want to ensure the business case is robust enough to deliver a technically and financially viable solution for WestConnex,” Mr Gay said.

He said community consultation was a vital part of the process and the SMPO had established a website to allow members of the public to have their say on the project.

The Minister said it was important to establish how the community wanted to be kept informed and engage with the project team, and members of the public had until the end of January to take part in a survey.

The Federal Government’s initial instalment of up to $25 million to advance the project was foreshadowed in the 2012 Federal Budget.

Canberra will assist the NSW Government to undertake detailed planning on the project as well as develop a business case and identify a process for bringing it to market.

Completion of this work will give both governments the information they need to make informed funding decisions.

Federal Transport and Infrastructure Minister, Anthony Albanese, said it was

clear from the briefing he’d received from Infrastructure NSW that more work needed to be done in order to make sure the project achieved the aim of reducing congestion, as well as achieving sustainable urban development objectives.

In another major development in NSW, the State Government has initiated a Bridges for the Bush project.

It has committed an additional $135 million to replace and upgrade key bridges across the state over the next five years, which will improve road freight productivity and open some bridges to higher mass limit vehicles.

This work will remove a number of significant freight pinch points and bottlenecks as well as improve road safety for local communities.

Concept design will be completed shortly for: • Tulladunna Bridge Wee Waa; • Kapooka Bridge Wagga Wagga; • Bemboka River Bridge Cooma; and • Gunnedah Rail Bridge.

Tenders for concept designs will be called this financial year for: • Lawrence/Sportsman Creek Bridge; • Tabulam Bridge; • James Park/Crookwell Bridge; and • Holman Bridge Goolagong.

Project briefs are being prepared for: • Middle Falbrook Bridge; • Carathool Bridge; • Warroo Bridge Dubbo.

Construction is expected to begin on: • Brig O’Johnston Bridge Clarencetown in 2013; • McKanes Bridge Blue Mountains in 2015; and • Tooleybuc Bridge in 2015.

Majura Parkway construction begins Major construction on the largest road project in Canberra – the $288 million Majura Parkway – is now underway.

The first sod was turned on the project in the first week in February. The infrastructure will provide a continuous freeway link between the Federal Highway and Monaro Highway in the ACT. The new road was assessed and recommended by Infrastructure Australia and is expected to generate long term economic, social and environmental benefits worth almost $1 billion.

The project involves: • 11.5km of new dual carriageway highway; 8

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• 11 bridges and 3 grate separated interchanges; and • Dedicated on-road cycle lanes The start of construction on the Parkway builds on the $18.5 million duplication for the Monaro Highway completed last September.

ACT Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher, said once completed, the Parkway would play a significant role in improving the main national and regional freight route.

“Surrounded by NSW, the ACT depends on the national freight network to access the goods that keep its economy strong.

“It is anticipated that the amount of freight that will be carried on our roads will double

over the next 10 to 15 years. The Majura Parkway alone is forecast to carry around 40,000 vehicles a day, including up to 6,000 trucks, by 2030.

“The ACT will also benefit from additional capacity on its road network. The Majura Parkway will help relieve traffic congestion on residential streets in the inner north and improve access for both local and interstate traffic to industrial areas like Fyshwick and to the Canberra Airport precinct.”

The Majura Parkway is jointly funded by the Federal Labor Government and ACT Government each contributing $144 million and is due to be completed in mid-2016.

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major projects

The Federal and Victorian Governments are outlaying $5 million to progress planning on the proposed Western Interstate Freight Terminal (WIFT), a facility being designed to ease congestion around the Port of Melbourne and take more than 700,000 trucks a year off the city’s roads.

Development of the terminal would complement the capital works programs currently rebuilding more than a third of the 10,000 kilometre Interstate Rail Freight Network.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese, said new sleepers, track, passing loops and signalling technology would not be enough to fully restore rail’s competitiveness and reliability.

Mr Albanese said it also needed to be better integrated with other modes of transport, including ports and roads.

“An intermodal facility in Melbourne’s west certainly has the potential to achieve precisely that. That’s why we are working with the Victorian Government to progress this proposal with the funding necessary to complete a pre-feasibility study into the project.”

The Western Interstate Freight Terminal (WIFT) pre-feasibility study is being funded by the Federal ($3.5 million) and Victorian ($1.5 million) Governments. If given the final go-ahead, the project would include construction of an interstate terminal and freight precinct at Truganina in Melbourne’s west and a link to the Interstate Rail Freight Network.

Currently, interstate containers bound for distribution in Melbourne are railed to terminals adjacent to the port and then trucked to the outer suburbs. An intermodal facility at Truganina would do away with the need for interstate trains and trucks to come into the port precinct.

Victorian Public Transport and Roads Minister, Terry Mulder, said the WIFT would reduce freight traffic through the inner west, potentially removing up to 2,000 truck movements from the precinct every day.

“The WIFT would reduce truck movements in Melbourne’s inner west, open up land side capacity for the Port of Melbourne, Australia’s largest container and general cargo port, and enhance Victoria’s reputation as the nation’s freight and logistics hub.

“And with forecasts showing interstate rail freight through Melbourne will triple by 2030, it is important to plan now to ensure the right infrastructure is in place to meet demand.

“The WIFT makes sense,” Mr Mulder said. “It closes one of the biggest missing links in Victoria’s interstate rail freight network and

Image courtesy Port of Melbourne Corporation

Finance for planning Western Interstate Freight Terminal

improves efficiency by freeing up rail and road capacity in this inner city precinct, allowing freight to be distributed from outside of the CBD. “Efficiency is gained by making better use of road and rail connections and reducing the time and length of truck trips. This will have the twin benefit of reducing bottlenecks in inner Melbourne and reducing truck trips from inner urban areas.”

Preferred builders selected for Frederickton-Eungai upgrade Thiess and McMahon Contractors have been selected to design and deliver the upgrade of the Pacific Highway between Frederickton and Eungai, with construction of the section expected to begin mid-year.

Necessary funding has now been secured to construct the long overdue upgrade of the section of highway which was the site of the horrific Clybucca bus crash in 1989.

A head-on collision between two tourist buses near Kempsey claimed the lives of 35 people while another 41 people were injured. A coroner’s inquiry found the driver of one of the coaches fell asleep at the wheel.

Once completed in 2016, the fully duplicated section will link up with the Kempsey Bypass which is currently under-construction and on track to be completed before Easter – more than 12 months early.

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The $762 million project will be funded on a 50-50 basis by the Federal and New South Wales governments, with the new section to be built to the west of the highway’s existing alignment. The upgrade will help save lives and further reduce journey times.

The project will include a major new interchange at Stuarts Point Road, additional rest areas on both sides of the highway south of Barraganyatti near Cooks Lane, and ensure local farmers can move equipment and livestock into and out of their properties.

It will also prevent the highway from being cut by all but a “once in a century” flooding event.

Compared to the mid-90s, the duplication that’s already been completed has reduced the time it takes to drive from Sydney to Brisbane by up to 90 minutes. Annual fatalities have been reduced by half.

Great Eastern widening to finish early The $280 million widening of Western Australia’s Great Eastern Highway between Kooyong Road and the Tonkin Highway is on track to be completed six months ahead of schedule.

The widening project to increase the section from four-to-six lanes is due to be completed in June.

The highway is a major road between Perth and Kalgoorlie, and is a key route for vehicles accessing WA’s eastern wheatbelt and the eastern goldfields.

The widening project will ease congestion along the highway by increasing its carrying capacity between Kooyong Road and the Tonkin Highway by some 70 per cent; from 50,000 to 85,000 vehicles a day.

The project is part of a $3.7 billion capital works program the Federal Government has rolled out across the state over the past 5 years.

The widening is being jointly funded by Canberra ($224 million) and Western Australian ($56 million). The works will complement other improvements to the highway, including the new interchange at the intersection with the Roe Highway which was completed last year.

WA Transport Minister, Troy Buswell, said the Great Eastern Highway was one of Perth’s most critical pieces of road infrastructure and the upgrade – which was now nearing completion – would cut travel times, ease congestion and improve access to the capital’s airport and surrounding areas.

“Furthermore, it will improve safety for local residents and other regular users of the highway as well as deliver better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

“What’s more, during its delivery, this multimillion project has created and supported more than 230 jobs, delivering an important stimulus to the local economy.”

Bridge works as part of Southern Expressway project A pedestrian bridge over Adelaide’s multi-million dollar Southern Expressway is being extended as part of the duplication of the expressway.

The Glenhelen Path pedestrian bridge will be closed until mid-May, during which time earthworks and bridge construction works will take place to extend the bridge.

During the construction works, pedestrians and cyclists will have alternative access available via Flaxmill Road.

The $407.5 million duplication of the Southern Expressway is a key part of the development of Adelaide’s north-south corridor and, when complete, will deliver an 18.5 kilometre multi-lane, two-way expressway between Bedford Park and Old Noarlunga by mid-2014.

major projects

Fast tracking of Bruce Highway upgrade Construction of Section A of the Bruce Highway will be fast-tracked to start in the middle of 2013.

The $790 million upgrade of the section between Cooroy and Curra involves the upgrade and realignment of approximately 13 kilometres of the highway south of Gympie. It will be funded on a 50-50 basis by the Federal and Queensland Governments.

The project will deliver smoother and safer driving conditions for the 20,000 motorists who use this section of the highway every day.

The upgrade will deliver: • duplication of the existing two lane highway between the existing Cooroy Southern Interchange and the proposed Cooroy Northern Interchange; • construction of a new four lane highway to be located west of the existing Bruce highway between the proposed Cooroy Northern Interchange and Sankeys Road; • an upgrade of the Cooroy Southern Interchange; • construction of a new grade separated Cooroy Northern Interchange;

• replacement or the provision of new bridges/structures at six locations; and • provision of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) consistent with the Managed Motorways Policy.

The new funding for Section A is part of the capital works program the Labor Government commissioned shortly after coming to office in 2007. The government is now investing more than $3.1 billion into the Bruce Highway.

Section B of the highway – which was completed in mid-December 2012 – was delivered on time and significantly under budget.

BCC in talks over infrastructure tolling rights Brisbane City Council is negotiating an indicative non-binding proposal by Queensland Motorways to acquire the tolling rights for Go Between Bridge and Legacy Way via long-term leases.

The proposal is subject to the satisfaction of several key conditions, including a period of due diligence, with the aim of reaching final agreement on terms by June 2013.

Queensland Motorways CEO, Brendan Bourke, said by leveraging Queensland Motorways’ skills and track record as a leading toll road operator and the infrastructure investment experience of QIC Limited, the council is able to deliver the best possible outcome for rate payers.

“Brisbane City Council will receive upfront payments for each asset with further payments linked to asset performance over time, enabling them to use the proceeds to undertake priority upgrades of key Brisbane arterials, such as Kingsford Smith Drive and Wynnum Road, much earlier than planned,” Mr Bourke said.

“In addition, obligations to maintain and repair the roads will be passed to Queensland Motorways, providing a saving to council’s annual operating costs.”

Mr Bourke said Queensland Motorways was a highly experienced toll road operator with well-established and proven systems for managing road operations, toll collection and customer service.

“Since our change of ownership in 2011 we have undergone substantial organisational and operational change to position the company as a leading provider of toll road services.

“We are capable and ready to add the Go Between Bridge and Legacy Way to our existing Gateway and Logan motorway assets.”

Mr Bourke said the acquisitions would enable Queensland Motorways to leverage its key position in the Brisbane road network and provide a platform for it to work with council to continue to improve the operation of the network over the longer term.

First stage of Western Highway upgrade Construction of a major section of the $505 million Western Highway Duplication from Ballarat to Stawell in Victoria is complete.

The section involved is an 8.1 kilometre duplication of the highway between Ballarat and Burrumbeet. The section includes new Melbourne-bound lanes west of the Sunraysia Highway to Carpenter Road.

Flooding and unseasonal rain in the summer of 2011 and 2012 affected construction works for the project.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, 206 millimetres of rain was recorded near the Western Highway site in January 2011, 12

ROADS FEB/MARCH 2013

the highest rainfall for the month of January on record.

More than 5,500 vehicles, including more than 1,300 freight vehicles, will travel on the section of highway per day and with numbers expected to double by 2025, the project will accommodate these volumes.

The Federal Government, through the Nation Building Program, has committed $404 million towards duplicating the Western Highway from Ballarat to Stawell. The Victorian Government is contributing $101 million.

The Federal Government’s commitment to Ballarat-Stawell duplication complements

other major works, including: • $160 million for the realignment of the Western Highway at Anthonys Cutting; • $40 million for upgrades between Stawell and the South Australian border; • $17.79 million for Ballarat roads under the Roads to Recovery Program; and • $5.05 million for Ballarat roads under the Black Spot Program.

Funding from the Nation Building Program will complete the duplication of the Western Highway to around Buangor, which is around 57 kilometres of the 110 kilometre route between Ballarat and Stawell.

East West Link declared a major project Melbourne’s East West Link is a step closer after its declaration as a major project under Victoria’s Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act 2009, paving the way for early planning on the landmark project.

The East West Link is a proposed 18 kilometre cross-city connection between the Eastern Freeway and Western Ring Road.

The business case for the project was to be considered by Government in early 2013.

State Roads Minister, Terry Mulder, said the move to declare the project was a further demonstration of the government’s commitment to the economic and social benefits it would deliver to Victoria.

“The East West Link is a city-shaping project that would provide an alternative cross city connection to the Monash and West Gate freeways, and transform the way that freight, business and people travel around Melbourne into the future,” Mr Mulder said.

“As Melbourne grows and changes, and demand for travel increases, being able to make relatively fast and reliable east-west connections across the city is becoming more

and more important for businesses and the future prosperity of our city.”

Mr Mulder said the declaration of the eastern section of the project meant the entire East West Link development was now covered under the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act 2009, with the western section declared in 2010.

“The eastern section will link the Eastern Freeway to CityLink along the general Alexandra Parade corridor with a connection to the port area, completing a massive gap in the freeway network and fixing the farcical situation where a major freeway like the Eastern stops on the doorstep of the city.

“A project of this massive scale needs to be planned in its totality and we need to consider its overall impact on the transport network and urban development, as well as how it might be financed and delivered.

“Declaration under the Act puts us in a position to undertake more in-depth planning, as well as to undertake formal planning processes and gain delivery powers as the project progresses in the future.”

Mr Mulder said geotechnical drilling had been undertaken at 43 sites along the corridor to assist with engineering evaluations, and market engagement undertaken to provide insight into potential financing options for the project.

“We’ve drilled at 43 locations along Alexandra Parade as well as within areas of Carlton, Parkville and Royal Park since May (2012), and it may be that more drilling will be necessary after we receive feedback from the construction industry,” Mr Mulder said.

“The results so far are favourable. They confirm that an East West Link tunnel would most likely be constructed through high strength basalt from the Hoddle Street end of the project, before transitioning to Melbourne formation comprising mudstone, sandstone and siltstone around Lygon Street.

“There is no doubt that tunnelling is a highly complex activity. There is great value in doing geotechnical work up front to understand the conditions for construction – the good news is that we haven’t found anything unexpected below the earth’s surface.”

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major projects

Government enterprise to oversee Moorebank IMT project A government business enterprise designed to optimise private sector development of an open-access Intermodal Terminal (IMT) at Moorebank, in south western Sydney, has been established by the Federal Government.

The Moorebank Intermodal Company will act as landlord and manage tender processes for the design, construction and operations of the terminal, envisaged to commence mid-2013.

Once the project is operating successfully and subject to market demands, the government expects to fully privatise the facility.

The government has appointed a Board to oversee the company’s operations.

Following an extensive executive search, Dr Kerry Schott has been appointed as Chair of the company. Claire Filson, Andrew Fraser, Stephen Williams and Ray Wilson have been appointed as Directors to the Board.

Ms Schott and the inaugural directors have been appointed for terms of three years.

Further appointments will be made to the Board during 2013.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese, said the Moorebank IMT was a nationally significant project that could potentially transform the movement of freight along Australia’s east coast.

“So it is appropriate that we have appointed a Board with strong commercial skills and experience to drive the project forward,” Minister Albanese said.

“It’s forecast that once up and running, the IMT could remove 1.2 million trucks each year from Sydney’s roads – that’s equivalent to 3,300 trucks per day.”

“With container freight in Sydney set to more than triple by 2030 and the city’s road network already heavily congested, the project represents a welcome relief for residents and businesses.”

Dr Schott has 15 years investment banking experience, including as Managing Director of Deutsche Bank and Executive Vice President of Bankers Trust Australia. She is currently a Director of NBN Co Limited; Director of NSW Treasury Corporation; and a member of the Infrastructure Australia Board.

Claire Filson – Director Ms Filson has strong experience in construction law in regulatory and private sector settings and has exposure in public private partnerships (PPPs). Ms Filson’s current affiliations are Director of Port of Hastings Development Authority; and Director of Victoria Pharmacy Authority.

Dr Kerry Schott has been appointed as Chair of the Moorebank Intermodal Company

Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Penny Wong, said Dr Schott brought to the role of Chair a strong record of practice in the NSW public sector as well as business sector, and significant financial and leadership experience.

Senator Wong said the government released in 2012 a detailed business case which calculated the IMT would generate $10 billion in economic benefits through improved productivity, reduced business costs, reduced road congestion and better environmental outcomes.

“This is an opportunity for the public and private sectors to work closely together to deliver a project that boosts the productive capacity of not just the state’s economy, but the national economy too.

“Dr Schott will play an integral role in the direction of the company to ensure it meets the productivity gains the IMT is projected to achieve.”

Andrew Fraser – Director Mr Fraser has experience in the delivery and oversight of large infrastructure projects in the transport, rail and logistics sectors. He is trained as a lawyer, and has experience in financial analysis and budgets. Mr Fraser was Queensland Deputy Premier and Treasurer.

Stephen Williams – Director Mr Williams has a strong project finance background and has led deal teams from a borrower and lender perspective. He has skills and experience in investment appraisal, strong commercial and risk sharing appreciation and an understanding of private sector finance and investment, gained from an industry and finance sector perspective.

Ray Wilson – Director Mr Wilson has a strong background in accounting, investment banking and large scale infrastructure development. Mr Wilson is a Founding Principal and Director of Plenary Group, which is an international infrastructure business.

Geelong Ring Road closer to completion Another major component of the Geelong Ring Road – the Anglesea Road Interchange – is open to traffic, with the entire project on track to be completed by mid-2013.

With the opening of the interchange, motorists and truck drivers no longer have to stop at the Geelong-Warrnambool rail crossing on Anglesea Road.

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The interchange includes two roundabouts, access ramps and two bridges—one over the railway line and the other over the freeway.

Work is continuing on laying the new five kilometre road linking the Interchange with the Princes Highway near Draytons Road.

The Ring Road means the 14,000

motorists that use it every day can drive from Melbourne to the Surf Coast without encountering a single traffic light.

Known as the Geelong Ring Road Section 4B, the new Anglesea Road Interchange and Princes Highway link road are being jointly funded by the Federal ($45 million) and Victorian ($65 million) Governments.