Builder announced for NSW Warringah Freeway upgrade project

New South Wales’ Warringah Freeway upgrade has reached a new major milestone that pushes the project further towards construction. 

The joint venture between CPB Contractors and Downer EDI has been awarded a $1.18 billion contract to design and build the congestion busting project. 

“This crucial upgrade will make the Warringah Freeway more efficient and reliable for the drivers who use it every day, and will pave the way for future Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link. 

“More than 15,000 jobs will be created during construction of the entire Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link program, with about 600 direct jobs created for the Warringah Freeway upgrade,” Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said. 

Main works on the upgrade are anticipated to commence early next year, with early works already underway. Subject to the detailed design and construction program, project construction is expected to take about five years to complete. 

Source: Liberal New South Wales

The Warringah Freeway upgrade includes: 

• Upgrading four kilometres of the Warringah Freeway, between High Street at North Sydney and Willoughby Road at Naremburn, to reduce the amount of merging required, and improve safety and traffic flow 
• Improve interchanges with Falcon Street at Cammeray and High Street at North Sydney, including a new northbound on ramp at High Street which will ease pressure on the existing ramp at Berry Street 
• Connections to the future Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link 
• Improved public transport links, with a continuous southbound bus lane from Miller Street to the Sydney Harbour Bridge 
• Around 2.5 kilometres  of new and upgraded cycleways and pedestrian paths, integrated with public transport networks, including the future Victoria Cross metro station at North Sydney 

“The Warringah Freeway upgrade is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to reduce traffic on our local roads, and it will help create better connections for our community to the future Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link,” Member for North Shore Felicity Wilson said. 

“Community feedback has helped shape the Warringah Freeway upgrade, and the community will continue to be updated and involved as the entire Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link program progresses,” Member for Manly James Griffin said. 

Through the Incentivised Target Cost style contract awarded to the CPB Contractors and Downer EDI joint venture, the CIMIC Group company will generate approximately $800 million in revenue. 

Scope of works under the joint venture’s contract will include upgrading four kilometres of the freeway as well as deliver associated works such as construction of a dedicated bus lane and active transport links for cyclists and pedestrians. 

“The Warringah Freeway upgrade is key to a city-shaping network of roads that will reduce congestion in Sydney, as population and transport demand grows. The project will improve traffic flow and create better connections. We’re proud to be involved with the delivery of efficient urban transport networks and the creation of more liveable cities,” CIMIC Group Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Juan Santamaria said. 

“We are pleased to have been entrusted by the NSW Government to deliver this important upgrade to the northern approach of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Our teams are highly skilled in delivering complex transport projects in the centre of major cities and will work closely with all stakeholders to safely deliver this upgrade while minimising disruption on what is one of the busiest freeways in Australia,” CPB Contractors Managing Director Jason Spears said. 

Source: Transport for NSW – Media Releases; NSW Government – Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway Upgrade; CPB Contractors; CIMIC Group; Liberal New South Wales