BMD Constructions has this week been awarded the contract to duplicate the Princes Highway between Armytage and Warncoort, providing approximately 15 kilometres of dual divided highway with a wide median and 3.5 metre shoulder. The works form part of the second section of the $363 million Princes Highway duplication from Winchelsea to Colac.
Tenders were advertised in December 2015, and short-listed contractors later named as Fulton Hogan, Lend Lease and BMD.
Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Luke Donnellan said the improvements built on the benefits already being enjoyed by motorists on the newly completed duplication between Geelong and Winchelsea.
“These latest works will involve duplication of approximately 15 kilometres of highway between [Armytage Road] Armytage and [Trasks Road] Warncoort, the construction of a new bridge and strengthening of the existing bridge at the rail crossing near Armytage, construction of two new bridges over Birregurra Creek and the removal of the railway level crossing near Warncoort,” Mr Donnellan said.
The minimum level of local content set for this project is 95%.
Construction is expected to begin in late 2016. Work is already underway on other stages of the Princes Highway West project between Winchelsea and Armytage, and also in Colac East.
WBHO Infrastructure was named the Section 1 contractor in July for works spanning from Deans Marsh Road in Winchelsea, west to Armytage Lane.
All projects between Winchelsea and Colac are expected to be completed by the end of 2019.
By providing reliable, safer roads on the Princes Highway, these works are slated to benefit industries in western Victoria, such as dairy, agriculture and forestry.
The Australian Government committed $181.7 million towards the Princes Highway West—Winchelsea to Colac project, with the Victorian Government providing a matching $181.7 million contribution.
Source: Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, ICN Gateway