A summary of the contracts awarded

CONTRACTS IN BRIEF

ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDES AN UPDATE ON SOME OF THE MAJOR CONTRACTS AND TENDERS AWARDED OR PUT TO MARKET ACROSS THE AUSTRALIAN INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR IN 2020. xx xx CONTRACTS IN BRIEF ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDES AN UPDATE ON SOME OF THE CONTRACTS AND TENDERS RECENTLY AWARDED OR PUT TO MARKET ACROSS THE AUSTRALIAN INFRASTRUCTURE SECTOR.

VICTORIA SRL East’s tunnelling packages go to market The Victorian Government’s Suburban Rail Loop Authority has put two major tunnelling packages for the Suburban Rail Loop East (SRL East) project in Melbourne out to market, following the completion of pre-qualification on March 25. Work packages C and D, two of the total of seven work packages constituting the SRL East project, comprise a fullytunnelled 26-kilometre metro corridor between Cheltenham and Box Hill in Melbourne’s east. The line will include six stations, including new interchanges with existing heavy rail stations at Cheltenham, Clayton, Glen Waverley and Box Hill, with new stations at Monash and Burwood. The first tunnelling package – Package C – will be the longest in Victoria’s history, delivering around 16 kilometres of twin tunnels between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley. The bidders will compete for Package C, with a contract expected to be awarded by the end of 2023. The remaining two unsuccessful bidders for Package C will then compete for Package D, with that contract expected to be awarded in the third quarter of 2024.

Alliance awarded South Geelong rail works contract Djilang Alliance, comprising McConnell Dowell, Downer, Arup and WSP Australia, has been appointed as the preferred contractor to deliver the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication project. The project will enable more services and improved reliability on the Geelong Line. It includes duplicating approximately eight kilometres of track and signalling upgrades between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds to deliver additional services from Marshall and Waurn Ponds stations. Early works on the project will soon commence – including the relocation of the Barwon Water pipeline, which will allow key sections of track to be duplicated between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds. Major construction will start later in 2022 – with the project targeted for completion in late 2024. The Australian and Victorian governments are investing more than $1 billion in rail upgrades between Geelong and Waurn Ponds, as part of an investment of more than $4 billion in the Regional Rail Revival program.

Contract awarded for Next Generation Trams Bombardier Transportation Australia has been awarded a framework contract to design, build, and maintain 100 new and accessible trams as part of the Victorian Government’s $1.85 billion Next Generation Trams Project. The Next Generation Trams will be the largest investment in locally made trams in Australia’s history, supporting 1900 jobs and improving access to Melbourne’s tram network. The project will support local jobs in manufacturing, the supply chain, and the construction of a new purpose-built depot and maintenance facility. Bombardier Transportation Australia (recently acquired by Alstom) will undertake 15 years of maintenance as part of the approximately $1.2 billion contract. The first vehicles are anticipated to be in service from 2025. NEW SOUTH WALES Tenderers called for New Dubbo Bridge Tenders have been called for the lead construction contractor to build the $220 million Federal and New South Wales Government-funded New Dubbo Bridge – part of the Newell Highway Upgrade project. The 660-metre bridge will connect the western side of the Macquarie River to River Street, travelling over the flood plain west of the river. The $220 million project will include new and upgraded intersections at Thompson Street, Whylandra Street, and the Newell Highway. Intersections at Bourke Street and River Street will also be upgraded. Tenders were invited on 28 April 2022 and will be open for eight weeks. The successful head contractor for the main construction contract is expected to be announced by the end of 2022, with work set to start at the beginning of 2023. A program of early works to support the main road and bridge construction are also scheduled to begin this year.

Joint venture awarded ‘Easing Sydney’s Congestion’ contract GHD and Arcadis, in a joint venture, have been awarded a project delivery partner contract with Transport for NSW to deliver the next phase of the Easing Sydney’s Congestion (ESC) program. The program will deliver targeted improvements across Sydney’s Road network, with a focus on reducing congestion through intersection improvements, smart technology, and assisting program delivery across Sydney. Key initiatives under the ESC program include the delivery of the M4 Smart

Motorway, the Parramatta Congestion Improvement Program and accelerated Pinch Point and Clearways Programs. Each of these projects will reduce congestion and traffic delays in local governments areas. As part of the Parramatta Congestion Improvement Program, the NSW Government has committed $30 million to reduce congestion around the local government area by upgrading key intersections that access the Parramatta CBD. Over the next five years, the joint venture will provide design and technical services to address some of Sydney’s biggest traffic issues.

Asset management contract awarded for Sydney Tunnels The NSW Government has signed a longterm contract with Ventia for the asset management, operations and maintenance of the Sydney Harbour Tunnel and future Western Harbour Tunnel. The 15-year contract, worth $450 million, includes two further 10-year options at the discretion of the NSW Government. The contract will commence in early April 2022. For the Western Harbour Tunnel, Ventia will provide a range of services including whole of life design review, lifecycle cost modelling, and recommendations on reliability, availability, maintainability and supportability of the asset. Ventia will commence asset management, operations and maintenance services on the Western Harbour Tunnel following its completion.

QUEENSLAND Major contract finalised for Gold Coast Light Rail Construction on the Gold Coast Light Rail project Stage three – from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads – is set to get underway soon, with the contract finalised between the Queensland Government and John Holland for the major works package. The estimated $1 billion stage three project will deliver a 6.7 kilometres extension south of the existing Gold Coast tram network, linking Helensvale to Burleigh Heads and providing eight additional stations. This will expand the tram network to 27 kilometres from Helensvale to Burleigh Heads. John Holland was selected by GoldlinQ as design and construction partner on the project back in September 2020 following a competitive tender process. The project will complement other ongoing works in the region, as Queensland continues preparations for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is expected to create 760 jobs for locals.

Second contact finalised for Brisbane’s ‘Green Bridges Program’ The new $37 million Breakfast Creek Green Bridge pedestrian and cyclist bridge in Brisbane has moved to the next step with the award of the construction contract to a Georgiou Group and Brady Marine and Civil joint venture. The Breakfast Creek Green Bridge project will deliver a new two-way on-road cycle path from the bridge landing at Newstead Park, along Breakfast Creek Road and Newstead Avenue, through to Newstead Terrace at Halford Street. The project involves construction a 110-metre single span bridge structure, as well as extension of the existing Lores Bonney Riverwalk by 175 metres and dedicated pathways for pedestrians and cyclists. Brisbane City Council is building new green bridges across Brisbane for pedestrians and cyclists to provide more travel options, in response to the city’s growing population. The Council’s Green Bridges Program includes four new green bridges, that will connect Kangaroo Point to the CBD, Toowong to West End, St Lucia to West End, as well as a new crossing at Breakfast Creek. The first of the four bridges moved to construction phase in June 2021, when the Council awarded a contract to Connect Brisbane, led by BESIX Watpac, to design and construct the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge. Construction started in late 2021, with expected completion by late 2023. Construction for the Breakfast Creek Green Bridge, which will see 140 personnel employed at peak, will start in mid-2022, with the bridge expected to open in early 2024.

NORTHERN TERRITORY NT Government to seal remainder of Plenty Highway The Northern Territory Government has awarded a $21 million tender to local Territory business Exact Contracting to seal the remaining of the Plenty Highway, a part of the Outback Way stretching from Western Queensland to Alice Springs. This package of works will support more than 50 jobs. The Plenty Highway is being progressively sealed with projects recently completed and other works underway. The majority of the unsealed section of the road is below natural surface level which results in road closures and vehicle restrictions after heavy rains. The main objective of this project is to continue the dual lane seal to improve overall road safety and riding quality, improve flood immunity, minimise vehicle weight and type restrictions, and support both current and future growth for mining, cattle and tourism.

Planning begins for Weddell Freeway The Northern Territory Government is undertaking a planning study for the potential development of the Weddell Freeway, which would connect Tiger Brennan Drive near Palmerston, to the Stuart Highway south of Darwin near Noonamah. Commencing from Tiger Brennan Drive, the proposed corridor would run adjacent to the railway line west of the Palmerston Town Centre, travel through to the area of Weddell before connecting to the Stuart Highway near Cox Peninsula Road. Consultancy firm SMEC Australia has been awarded the contract to undertake the planning study and develop a concept design of the proposed freeway, in consultation with key stakeholders. The draft concept design is expected to be completed by mid-2023.