The state government of Western Australia (WA) has announced the shortlisting of two consortia to build the A$852m ($523.1m) Bunbury Outer Ring Road.
The two consortia will now be able to submit detailed proposals to design and construct the project.
The two shortlisted consortia include the Forrest Alliance, which comprise CPB Contractors, Carey MC, Densford Civil, GHD and BG&E, as well as Southwest Connex, which involves Acciona, NRW Contracting, MACA Civil, AECOM and Aurecon.
The project will include the construction of a 27km link connecting Forrest Highway near Treendale to Bussell Highway comprising three sections – northern, central and southern.
Planned to be completed in 2024, the Bunbury Outer Ring Road aims to provide an alternative route around Bunbury in a bid to improve traffic flow and safety.
The government is planning to award an alliance contract to build the project before the end of 2020.
Subject to receiving environmental and heritage approvals, construction on the project is scheduled to commence in 2021.
Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister for Regional Development Michael McCormack said: "The Bunbury Outer Ring Road project has been planned for a number of years, recognising the significance of delivering vital infrastructure to provide a safer and more efficient road system for the South-West of Western Australia.
"Bunbury Outer Ring Road will provide relief for local residents by removing freight and regional traffic from local roads while maintaining easy access to Bunbury and other regional destinations.”
The Bunbury Outer Ring Road project is backed by A$681.6m ($418.5m) funding from the Australian Government and a further $170.4m ($104.6m) grant from the state government.
Western Australian Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said: "The Outer Ring Road is the biggest transport infrastructure project ever planned for the South-West and will generate significant economic and employment opportunities.
"We have also opened a Local Capability Fund to support small and medium South-West firms to tender for work on Bunbury Outer Ring Road.”
The project is expected to create up to 5,680 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase.
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The Bussell Highway in Forest Grove, Western Australia. (Credit: User:Orderinchaos/Wikipedia)
