Tunnelling work has commenced on the WestConnex M4 East motorway in New South Wales, Australia. Four road headers have been placed underground to start work on the first WestConnex tunnel. Construction work will be carried out in both directions to create the 5.5km tunnels that will link Homebush with Haberfield, in the first stage of WestConnex.The section between Homebush Bay Drive and Underwood Road is surface motorway, while the rest is twin 5.3m-high tunnels — three lanes in each direction from Homebush to Haberfield.New South Wales premier Mike Baird said: “This is a milestone event for the congestion-busting WestConnex motorway, which will deliver more than $20bn in benefits to NSW and create 10,000 jobs during construction.“Sydney can’t wait a minute longer for WestConnex which will cut 40 minutes from a typical journey between Parramatta and Sydney Airport, and bypass up to 52 sets of traffic lights.”New South Wales minister for roads and freight Duncan Gay said that the government was getting on with delivering much-needed infrastructure for Sydney’s growing population, with tunnelling starting at four different sites over the coming months to build the M4 East, which will open to motorists in 2019.Upon completion, WestConnex will join the M4 and M5 in a continuous motorway with connections at Rozelle, Camperdown, St Peters and Sydney Airport.
International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) subsidiary Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT) has secured an AUD398M ($300M) loan for the construction of a container terminal at Webb Dock East in the Port of Melbourne, Australia.The loan was provided by several financial institutions, including Citibank, KFW IPEX-Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and Bookrunners, Bank of China, DBS Bank, Investec Bank, and Cathay United Bank.Finnish export credit agency Finnvera has also participated in the transaction by providing a guarantee for a portion of the facility.Work on the terminal started in late 2014, and will be delivered in two phases. The first phase will be ready for commercial operations in the fourth quarter of 2016, while the second phase will be complete in 2017.VICT’s CEO Anders Dommestrup said: “VICT is extremely pleased to have signed this project finance facility with internationally renowned banks as this is a testament to the viability of VICT.“We remain committed to working with all our partners — the Port of Melbourne, local community, our contractors, and now our lenders — to deliver to Melbourne a world-class and industry leading container terminal.”
Schlumberger company OneSubsea has secured an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract worth $300M from Woodside Energy for the Greater Enfield Project oil development, off the northwest coast of Australia.The project will create a 31km subsea tie-back to the Ngujima-Yin floating, storage and offloading (FPSO) facility.OneSubsea will supply the subsea production system and the dual multiphase boosting system for the project.The contract includes the delivery of six horizontal SpoolTree subsea trees, six horizontal trees for the water injection system and six multiphase meters.It will also involve the provision of a high-boost dual pump station with high-voltage motors, umbilical, topside, subsea controls and distribution, intervention and workover control systems, landing string, and installation and commissioning services.
Acciona in a joint venture with Ferrovial has been selected as the preferred bidder to design and construct the AUD250M ($189.8M) Clarence River Crossing in Australia.The project will include the construction of a 1.5km four-lane bridge in the Australian town of Harwood, with a vertical clearance above the river of at least 30m.Two years ago, the joint venture won the Pacific Highway Upgrade project between Warrell Creek and Nambucca Heads — a 19.5km section. The work involved the construction of a bridge over the River Nambucca in Macksville, two bridges across Warrell Creek and two intersections.Both projects are part of the Pacific Highway Upgrade plan to improve and extend the highway that connects Sydney with Brisbane, financed by the governments of Australia and New South Wales.
Laing O’Rourke has been awarded a third work package for the Ichthys project onshore LNG facilities in Darwin, Australia.Under the $200M package, the company will be responsible for providing civil finishing works at Bladin Point. Laing O’Rourke’s region director Stuart Crofts said: “This is the third major package we have secured on this project.“In 2012 Laing O’Rourke was awarded the EPC contract to deliver a network of four massive cryogenic tanks — in consortium with Kawasaki Heavy Industries — and the $260M contract to deliver the 3,500 bed Manigurr-ma Village in Howard Springs.“The logistically challenging project will see the project delivery team working in and around a number of other contractors completing major work packages on the site, including Kawasaki Heavy Industries — Laing O’Rourke’s own Cryogenic Tanks team.“Laing O’Rourke’s demonstrated capability to work collaboratively with a large number of stakeholders and our commitment to the use of Digital Engineering and innovative solutions to manage complex interfaces and deliver to the client’s program was instrumental in our success.”
Jacobs Engineering Group has been appointed as client-side technical advisor by the Western Australia Public Transport Authority (PTA) for the AUD2bn ($1.5bn) Forrestfield Airport Rail Link in Australia.The project includes the construction of about 8.5km of underground rail. The twin-bored tunnels will connect an existing underground rail line to the Perth airport and the eastern foothill suburbs to the rail network. It will also involve the construction of new overground and underground stations.Under the contract, Jacobs will be responsible for the provision of a multi-disciplinary engineering and environmental team to review the project’s design and construction documentation.The team will review and confirm the technical acceptance of safety critical systems and adherence to PTA operations, maintenance and other policy conditions, as well as compliance with other stakeholder requirements.Jacobs is also acting as the discipline lead for rail and building services — mechanical and electrical, and is being supported by sub-consultants B,G&E and Golder & Associates.Jacobs’ senior vice president of buildings and infrastructure Patrick Hill said: “We are proud to be part of this important public transport project for Western Australia, and we look forward to contributing significant value based on our expertise in the rail sector.“We recognize successful delivery for this project requires a well integrated delivery team that works seamlessly to meet tight review timeframes. As such, we are employing a partnership model with our sub-consultants, rather than a traditional lead and sub-consultant relationship.”
Construction firm Brookfield Multiplex has been appointed as the contractor by AMP Capital for the $600M Karrinyup Shopping Centre redevelopment in Perth, Western Australia.When completed, the project will offer space for large international and fashion retailers, food and entertainment venues and 150 housing units, in addition to the current retail offer.Karrinyup Shopping Centre is managed by AMP Capital Shopping Centres on behalf of its owner, UniSuper.AMP Capital shopping centres state development manager Scott Nugent said: “The redevelopment of Karrinyup will see the centre expand from 59,715sq m to 113,000sq m, and will surpass all other retail precincts previously delivered in Perth for its range of shops, lifestyle and entertainment options.”Brookfield Multiplex’s CEO John Flecker said: “We are excited to deliver the next phase of Karrinyup, which will reposition it to provide customers with an unprecedented retail and entertainment experience. AMP Capital has been investing in Western Australia since the late 1800s, and we look forward to investing further in the state.” The project will create 2,500 construction jobs and additional 2,500 jobs once completed.
Downer NZ Limited has secured an $115M contract for the construction of Longswamp section of the Waikato Expressway in New Zealand.The road project represents the final of seven sections of the 102km Waikato Expressway.Work on the 5.9km section will commence in October 2016 and will see the existing SH1 widened to four lanes between Hampton Downs and Rangiriri. In addition, a new local road bridge will be constructed over the four-lane Expressway.New Zealand’s transport minister Simon Bridges said: “This means all sections of the Waikato Expressway will be under construction by the end of 2016. The Longswamp section is the final piece of this transformational project. “Once finished the Waikato Expressway will be a game changer for this country. It will create jobs, boost industry and improve safety for all motorists travelling on this section of State Highway 1.“It will reduce congestion and unlock economic potential by providing stronger links between the business and agricultural centres of Auckland and the Waikato, as well as the Bay of Plenty.”The project is anticipated to be complete in 2018.
Dubai-based Najibi Group has announced an AUD400M ($297M) ‘active lifestyle’ theme park in Australia.The development will include a ‘Wave Reservoir’, waterpark and extreme water sports facilities, an Olympic standard training centre, a 4-star hotel, a conference and exhibition centre, restaurants and retail outlets. Najibi’s executive chairman Talal Najibi said: "This project marks a major milestone in Najibi's strategy to diversify its interests and investments."We feel this is the right time to invest in Australia. The Sunshine Coast, Queensland is rife with opportunities, and we are confident that this project will be extremely successful."Construction on the project is scheduled to commence in 2017, and will create 2,000 direct and indirect jobs during its construction period.
Lendlease Building has been selected as the head contractor by Investa and Gwynvill Group to build the $300M 60 Martin Place skyscraper in Sydney, Australia.The 33-storey building will feature more than 40,000sq m of lettable area with floor plates ranging from 1,200 to 1,500sq m.The skyscraper will be located on the corners of Macquarie Street, Martin Place and Phillip Street, opposite to the Reserve Bank and State Parliament.Investa’s head of commercial development Mark Tait said: “We are delighted to partner with Lendlease Building in this significant Sydney project.“Lendlease brings outstanding construction capability and extensive, relevant experience in high-quality commercial office developments, which will underpin the quality of the 60 Martin Place offering.”Work on the project will start in July 2016, with completion expected in the third quarter of 2019.
John Holland has been awarded a $324M early works package for Melbourne Metro in Victoria, Australia.John Holland will be responsible for excavating shafts in the centre of Melbourne as part of the preparation works for the tunnel and five new underground stations.The contract will also include the excavation of open shafts adjacent to Swanston Street to enable the underground construction of two new city stations built as part of the $10.9bn project.Excavation of the CBD North Station will include two shafts at Franklin and A’Beckett Street, which will be covered by acoustic sheds to minimise noise for neighbouring residents and offices.According to John Holland, the construction of CBD South will include the partial demolition of the car park underneath City Square.Other works in the package include the relocation and protection of up to 100 utilities, including gas, power and telecommunications services, and the 120-year-old brick main sewer line under the Domain interchange.Works are expected to commence within weeks, with work on the stations’ shafts to begin in 2017, after the completion of the Environment Effects Statement (EES) that is currently underway and the project’s formal planning approval.
The state government of New South Wales is set to provide $6.2bn for the Sydney Metro City & Southwest project and $5.8bn for Sydney Metro Northwest.The announcement was made as the tunnels for Sydney Metro Northwest were handed over within budget and 10 months ahead of the schedule.The 2016-17 funding for Sydney Metro Northwest will be used for laying tracks and building eight new metro stations, for the procurement of Sydney’s new fully-automated metro trains and ongoing construction of the 4km skytrain.Work on the Sydney Metro Northwest, expected to open in the first half of 2019, has commenced with the laying of tracks. The 2016-17 funding for Sydney Metro City & Southwest will be used for the tender process for twin tunnels from Chatswood to Sydenham and early construction work in 2017, including building demolitions, planning and design work.The first tunnel boring machine will be in the ground before the end of 2018, with services in the Sydney Metro City & Southwest expected to start in 2024.
Ground has been broken on the $1.12bn NorthLink WA project to provide a non-stop transport between Morley and Muchea in Western Australia.The project will transform Tonkin Highway into a six-lane freeway between Guildford Road and Reid Highway, with new interchanges at Collier Road and Morley Drive, and a flyover at Benara Road.Other flyovers will be constructed at Beechboro Road North and Marshall Road, with interchanges at Hepburn Avenue, Gnangara Road and The Promenade at Ellenbrook. The first section of the project, which is being delivered by John Holland, includes the construction of the Collier Road and Morley Drive interchanges and the Benara Road flyover.Great Northern Connect, a joint venture between BGC Contracting and Laing O'Rourke Australia Construction, has been selected as the preferred proponent for the next section between Reid Highway and Ellenbrook. The JV will oversee the design and construction of nearly 20km of highway, four interchanges, 14 road bridges and three footbridges. Construction work is expected to commence in early 2017.The overall project will create about 1,000 direct jobs.
A deteriorating section of the fluming carrying water to Tarraleah power station has been repaired on time and in budget, improving the safety and condition of this important infrastructure. Generating energy from water over the long term requires significant on-going investment in the safety and performance of more than dams and turbines. Water conveyance infrastructure also needs regular attention to keep the water flowing across the many, often rugged, kilometres from storages to power stations."Across a century of hydropower development, Hydro Tasmania has constructed 55 major dams, 30 power stations, and hundreds of kilometres of waterways," said Hydro Tasmania's civil portfolio manager Neil Smith."Many of these assets were world firsts when they were built and continue to provide outstanding service to this day. But, like any valuable infrastructure, our hydroelectricity and water assets require on-going maintenance to perform well into the future."A timely and successful repair of a rapidly deteriorating section of the flume carrying water to Hydro Tasmania's Tarraleah Power Station has greatly improved the safety and condition of this important piece of water conveyance infrastructure, and ensured its reliable service in Tasmania's power system for at least another 50 years.And if that isn't cause enough for celebration, this repair has also been achieved within schedule and budget, using safe and innovative design and construction methods, and carefully considering the flume's heritage values.
Auckland Transport has broken ground on the $2.5bn City Rail Link (CRL) project in New Zealand. The project includes the construction of 3.4km twin tunnels up to 42m below the city streets, using a 7.5m diameter tunnel boring machine.The rail link will also involve two new underground stations at Aotea and Karangahape Road and a re-developed Mount Eden Station.Auckland Transport chairman Dr Lester Levy said: “It will change the look and feel of Auckland setting the city up for future growth. Making public transport a better travel choice will ease pressure on roads for those who need to use them.”Work on the project is expected to last for five and a half years. Upon completion, the project would almost double the number of people on the trains to 30,000 an hour at peak times.
Construction work has commenced on a $170M office tower on Brisbane’s city fringe in Queensland, Australia.The new office development, known as ‘Fortitude Valley’, is being delivered by Consolidated Properties Group (CPG) and Charter Hall Group.Upon completion, the 19,000sq m, 14-level office tower will become the new headquarters of the Australian rail freight company Aurizon and its 1,700 employees.CPG secured a 110-year lease for the site, from the Anglican Church, in a deal that secures the long term future of the existing Church building, on the site at 900 Ann St.Queensland’s deputy premier Jackie Trad said: “This is a landmark project for Fortitude Valley, bringing 1,300 jobs during the construction phase and 1,700 Aurizon workers to the area once construction is complete.”The tower is expected to be complete in 2018.
Lendlease Group has been selected as the preferred contractor to design and build the $985M Northern Connector road project in Adelaide, South Australia.The project will include the construction of a new motorway with three lanes in each direction. The 15.5km road is set to link the Northern Expressway with the South Road Superway and the Port River Expressway.It will also involve four interchanges and a 16km path for cyclists and pedestrians. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan said: “The Northern Connector will provide enormous productivity benefits for freight travelling between Adelaide and the northern, western and eastern parts of South Australia, as well as to and from other states.“The six-lane motorway is expected to significantly improve freight access to Port Adelaide and the industrial areas of Adelaide’s north and north-west, bypassing six sets of traffic lights.“It will also deliver enormous benefits for the 52,000 vehicles a day expected to use it when completed.”Major works are anticipated to commence in the third quarter of 2016 and the project is scheduled to be complete in December 2019. The project will create about 480 jobs a year during construction.
John Holland and partner Commercial & General have signed a contract to deliver the new $300M Calvary Adelaide Hospital in Australia.Upon completion, the 12-storey, 350-bed facility is due to become the largest private hospital ever built in South Australia, replacing the existing Calvary Wakefield Hospital.The project will be developed by John Holland and Commercial & General, and leased back to Calvary on a long term contract. Construction on the project is scheduled to begin shortly.John Holland’s CEO Glenn Palin said that the new facility will be 50% larger than the existing hospital, and enable Calvary to meet clinical demand.Palin added: “John Holland is perfectly placed to deliver this vital piece of infrastructure for the people of Adelaide. We have extensive experience in the construction of health facilities, and understand the complexities involved.“We have constructed various hospital facilities around Australia, including the Perth Children’s Hospital, Lismore Base Hospital and the Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital. We welcome the chance to continue our work in Adelaide.”Construction on the project is scheduled to begin shortly.
Infrastructure firm RCR Tomlinson has won two construction contracts with a combined value of $108M in Australia.RCR has been awarded a $73M contract by MMG Limited (MMG) for the construction of a processing plant at MMG’s Dugald River project.Under the contact, RCR will be responsible for project management, fabrication and supply of various structural steel, mechanical and E&I components, and the construction and commissioning support for a zinc and lead concentrator and associated plant.Construction work on the project is set to commence immediately, subject to MMG finalising financing arrangements, and the plant is expected to be complete in October 2017. MMG is responsible for the plant design and the supply of the key processing equipment.Meanwhile, Rio Tinto awarded RCR a $35M contract for the construction and commissioning of Rio Tinto’s Cape Lambert Power Station.The scope of work includes overall project management, construction and commissioning of an 80MWe open cycle power plant at Rio Tinto’s Cape Lambert iron ore operation in Western Australia. Rio Tinto will be responsible for the design and procurement of major equipment items for the power station. Work will begin immediately and the power plant is set to be complete in October 2017.RCR’s managing director and CEO Paul Dalgleish said: “The project for MMG builds on our position as a leader in the construction of major minerals processing plants. We are looking forward to working together with MMG and the local community to successfully deliver these construction works.“The Cape Lambert project is the first win of an improving pipeline of opportunities that we are seeing in the power generation sector. We are currently preferred on a number of other large power projects including gas and solar power stations that are under negotiation. We are pleased to continue our valued relationship with Rio Tinto through this project.”
Downer NZ has been awarded an $86M network outcomes contract (NOC) by the NZ Transport Agency to manage the Coastal Otago State Highway network in New Zealand.The scope of the contract includes the regular maintenance and operation of the 773km highway network, as well as the signage and markings, resurfacing, pavement rehabilitation, winter maintenance and incident response.Ian Duncan, NZ Transport Agency’s southern business unit manager, said: “The new $86 million contract starts this winter, from 1 July, and is part of a national Transport Agency initiative to improve the efficiency of roading maintenance through the engagement of a single supplier for each highway network on a performance-based contract.“Contract tenure will be based upon Downer achieving a number of monthly and annual performance measures which evaluate the efficiency, responsiveness and quality of their work.”This new contract model is set to deliver better operational outcomes and more efficient road maintenance.