Victoria’s largest road project - the $15.8 billion North East Link - has marked a new major milestone with the announcement of three shortlisted consortia to build the twin road tunnels.
The three builders contending for the $7-9 billion major works contract - as part of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) - comprise of large construction firms from Australia and internationally. The three shortlisted builders are:
“The world’s best construction companies have been shortlisted to help build Victoria’s largest ever road project, the North East Link.
“The congestion busting North East Link will take 15,000 trucks off local roads, slash travel times for up to 135,000 motorists and create 10,000 jobs,” Transport infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said.
The winning consortium will design the North East Link including the twin tunnels as well as new interchanges, freeway upgrades and shared user paths. The builder will also construct the twin tunnels that will run under the Yarra River as well as operate the entire road corridor from the Eastern Freeway to Hoddle Street and the M80 once construction is completed.
The North East Link will connect the M80 with the Eastern Freeway and will provide links to key growth areas in the north and south-east regions. The multi-billion dollar project will include upgrading the Eastern Freeway, delivery of a dedicated Doncaster Busway as well as more than 25 kilometres of new and upgraded cycling and walking paths, and improvements to community facilities such as local sports grounds.
In addition to the announcement of shortlisted consortia, the contract to deliver early works to prepare for major construction has also been awarded.
CPB Contractors has been awarded a $195 million contract and the contractor will deliver early works including design, development and removal; relocation and/or protection of utility services that include 220kV transmission towers, other electrical assets, telecommunications assets, water and sewerage assets; and drainage and gas pipelines.
Planning works are set to begin in the coming weeks and works are anticipated to commence in 2020 following planning approvals. Early works are due for completion in 2021.
“This is a key missing link in Victoria’s freeway network. CPB Contractors is committed to leveraging our extensive roads and major project experience to deliver this work efficiently and to the highest safety standards,” CPB Contractors Managing Director Juan Santamaria said.
The PPP contract is expected to be awarded by the end of 2020 and major construction activities to begin in 2021.
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Source: Premier of Victoria; CPB Contractors; CIMIC Group