The Victorian State Government has announced that Fulton Hogan has been awarded the contract to upgrade the Monash Freeway in Melbourne, as part of the $5.5 billion Western Distributor Project.
Fulton Hogan were shortlisted as one of three tenderers in March 2016, including CPB Pty Ltd Pty Ltd and BMD Constructions Pty Ltd Constructions Pty Ltd (JV), and John Holland Pty Ltd.
The Monash upgrade includes around 30 kilometres of additional traffic lanes, all added within the existing road reserve:
- Widening from four to five lanes in each direction between EastLink interchange and South Gippsland Freeway
- Widening from two to three lanes in each direction from South Gippsland Freeway to Clyde Road in Berwick
- New and upgraded ramp signals and extra space for more cars on ramps from Chadstone to Pakenham. That’s 44 kilometres, extending what is already the longest stretch of managed motorway in Australia
The project will create more than 400 jobs during construction, as part of a major transport infrastructure program that is creating more than 15,000 jobs across Victoria. For motorists, the project will slash travel times by 10 minutes for the more than 200,000 vehicles that use it every day, and reduce the number of serious crashes by 20 per cent.
In April 2016, the Turnbull Government pledged $500 million to the upgrade of the Monash Freeway using funds earmarked for the East West Link. The Victorian Government has to date announced $400 million.
Construction will start in September, finsih in 2018 and no new tolls will be introduced on the Monash.
Have you been watching this project closely? Want to know what the Victorian State Government will be looking for when it considers tenders? Check out this free eBook which lists 10 tips given by the Australian Government when it comes to tendering.
