Two consortia announced as preferred bidders for VIC North East Link

Victoria’s biggest road project to date – the North East Link – has marked another major milestone with the announcement of two consortia as preferred bidders to deliver works on major components of the project. 

The Nexus consortium has been chosen as the preferred bidder for the first part of the Eastern Freeway overhaul. 

This project will deliver works to the Eastern Freeway between Burke Road and Tram Road to connect it with the new North East Link Tunnels. This part of the overhaul will also include new technology, express lanes, cycling paths and the first seven kilometres of the Eastern Express Busway. 

The Nexus consortium is comprised of Laing O’Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd, Symal Infrastructure Pty Ltd, WSP Australia Pty Ltd and Arcadis Australia Pacific Pty Ltd. 

“This is incredibly exciting news for both Laing O’Rourke and our consortium partners. We’re proud to have been appointed to such a significant project for the State and look forward to working collaboratively with the Victorian Government and the North East Link Project to deliver a compelling, value for money solution for the people of Victoria,” Laing O’Rourke Managing Director Rebecca Hanley said. 

On the other hand, the AMA consortium has been selected as the preferred bidder to complete the M80 Ring Road at Greensborough. 

The consortium’s scope of works on this major component of the North East Link Program will include the delivery of new lanes, smart technology, a seamless interchange with North East Link and Greensborough Bypass, a new multi-level car part at Watsonia Station and walking and cycling connections. 

The AMA consortium is comprised of ACCIONA Construction Australia Pty Ltd, AECOM Australia Pty Ltd and MACA Civil Pty Ltd. 

The North East Link team will now work with the two bidders ahead of the contracts award in mid next year. In addition, Expressions of Interest for the overhaul of other sections of the Eastern Freeway will go out to market this month. The scope of this part of the overhaul will include upgrades to the freeway all the way from Hoddle Street to Springvale Road. 

“This is a significant project opportunity for our construction subsidiary MACA Civil Pty Ltd and we are proud to join NELP, ACCIONA and AECOM in entering the next stage of the procurement process and working towards the delivery of one of the largest infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the state of Victoria,” MACA Limited CEO David Greig said. 

“The prospect of delivering this significant Victorian Infrastructure Project and partnering with NELP, ACCIONA and AECOM in the next phase is highly attractive for our Victorian Team. We look forward to the next phase and continuing our reputational growth in Victoria and being part of this exciting project,” MACA Civil Executive General Manager – Civil & Infrastructure Mark Davidovic said. 

Major components of the North East Link Program include: 

• North East Link Tunnels 
  • 6.5-kilometre tunnels with parklands, wetlands and a new Greensborough Road boulevard above 
  • 3 interchanges at Lower Plenty Road, Manningham Road and the Eastern Freeway 
• Ring Road Completion 
  • 5 new lanes with smart technology 
  • 2 green bridges at Elder Street and Watsonia Road 
  • New multi-level car parking at Watsonia Station 
• Eastern Freeway Upgrades 
  • 11 minutes slashed between Springvale Road and Hoddle Street 
  • 45+ kilometres of new and upgraded lanes where they are needed most 
  • 6 express lanes for faster, smoother trips between Middleborough Road and Chandler Highway 
• Eastern Express Busway 
  • 11 kilometres of dedicated bus lanes from Doncaster to the city 
  • 100km/h travel speeds 
  • A bus on average every minute during the peak 
  • New Bulleen Park & Ride and upgraded Doncaster Park & Ride 
• North East Trail 
  • 34+ kilometres of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths in 16 suburbs 
  • 40 new and upgraded bridges crossings 
  • 8 main trails linked to create 100 kilometres of continuous trail around Melbourne 

The North East Link tunnels – being delivered by the Spark consortium – and freeway upgrades are anticipated to be completed in 2028. 

Once up and running, the North East Link will slash travel times by about 35 minutes as well as take 15,000 trucks off local roads. 

Source: Victoria’s Big Build – North East Link Program (1, 2); MACA Limited; Laing O’Rourke; Roads & Infrastructure Australia