The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads is seeking to enter into an Early Contractor Involvement procurement process for the $400 million Ipswich Motorway – Rocklea to Darra Stage 1 project. In an annoucemenet last week, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk released the invitations to industry to bid for the work on one of South East Queensland's most significant road projects.
The department is planning to upgrade the eastern end of the Ipswich Motorway between Rocklea and Darra in a staged approach, addressing congestion and delivering value for money on one of Queensland’s major motorways. Stage 1 is a 3km section of the Ipswich Motorway from Granard Road, Rocklea to Oxley Road, Oxley.
This is the next most critical section of the remaining 7kms of the Ipswich Motorway still to be upgraded.
Stage 1 includes:
During constructoin, 470 jobs should be created, and a knock-on effect to help out local businesses.
The project is funded on a 50:50 basis under the Infrastructure Investment Program with the Australian Government contributing $200 million and the Queensland Government contributing $200 million.
Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports Minister Mark Bailey said Stage 1 had drawn strong interest from the construction industry.
“Industry has a keen eye on the project which ensures there will be healthy competition between proponents,” Mr Bailey said.
“We’re asking for innovation and capability from industry to make certain we get a solution that serves road users and delivers value for money.
“The contract to design and construct Stage 1 of the Ipswich Motorway Upgrade: Rocklea to Darra project will be awarded in early 2017.”
The QTender application can be accessed here.
Expressions of interest for Stage 1 will close on June 17, 2016.
Major construction is scheduled to start in 2017, weather permitting.
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