Three joint ventures have been invited to submit proposals for the AU$1.575bn (£810m) Perth Freight Link project.
The Australian and Western Australian governments are seeking proposals for a 5.2km extension of Roe Highway and 8.2km of upgrades to other roads. The project is expected to create 2,400 construction jobs.
The three shortlisted consortia are:
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BGC Contracting, Laing O’Rourke, Arup and Jacobs
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Clough, Brierty, WSP/Parsons Brinckerhoff and Hyder
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Leighton Contractors, Georgiou, GHD, Aecom, BG&E and WA Limestone
“The Perth Freight Link will create a new world class freight connection between the Roe Highway and the Fremantle Port, reducing transport costs and improving efficiency in heavy vehicle movements,” said assistant minister for infrastructure and regional development Jamie Briggs.
Western Australian transport minister Dean Nalder said the consortia were chosen after the evaluation of expressions of interest applications which were submitted in March.
“The consortia will now participate in the Request for Proposal stage of the procurement process and prepare detailed proposals for design and construction,” he said. “Consultation and design work over the past six years has finalised the route for Section 1. However, while the most obvious route for Section 2 had undergone robust planning, it will continue to be refined.
“In this next phase we ask the proponents to also look at innovative solutions, including the potential for a tunnelling option. To help plan and cost this option some early geotechnical work has been carried out. The feasibility of other options will be considered against environmental, economic and social impacts.”
Alliance contracts are expected to be awarded in September 2015 for Section 1 and in December 2015 for Section 2.