Baulderstone Clough Joint Venture to build N Bypass tunnel stage

15/2/96

Transport Minister Eric Charlton today announced Baulderstone Clough Joint Venture (BCJV) as the preferred tenderer to construct the tunnel stage of City Northern Bypass.

The contract provides for design and construction of the bypass section between Mitchell Freeway and East Parade including the $150 million Northbridge Tunnel component.

BCJV was one of three consortia short-listed and their proposals were evaluated by three Main Roads representatives and an independent person assisted by financial, technical and legal advisers.

"The selection of BCJV was based on a combination of price, construction management approach and competency of the proposed team including access to world's best practice," Mr Charlton said.

The other short listed applicants were:

·       a joint venture of Transfield Construction Pty Ltd and ThiessContractors Pty Ltd; and -

·       the Citypass Consortium, comprising John Holland Construction and Engineering Pty Ltd, McConnell Dowell Constructors (Australia) Pty Ltd and Obayishi Corporation Ltd.

Mr Charlton said expressions of interest would be called in April for the second major contract, consisting of design and construction of works between East Parade and Great Eastern Highway, including a new bridge over the Swan River at Burswood.

Work on the Burswood Bridge section of the bypass was expected to start in the second half of 1997 with simultaneous completion of both contracts in 2000.

"The City Northern Bypass will provide a much needed east-west metropolitan transport route," the Minister said.

"Traffic congestion in the inner city will be reduced, enabling the introduction of bus lanes and pedestrian and cyclist facilities contributing to a more people friendly city for workers and residents."

Mr Charlton said the Government would enter into negotiations with the Baulderstone Clough Joint Venture with the aim of awarding contracts in April, 1996. Construction work was expected to start early in the second half of this year.

Western Australians would be proud of the completed City Northern Bypass and the Minister again challenged Federal Member for Perth Stephen Smith to stop 'bagging' the project for the sake of political expediency.

"Mr Smith should now reveal his engineering expertise on the bypass against the experts, or cease altogether his already discredited public scare campaign," Mr Charlton said.

He said a more worthwhile contribution from Mr Smith on behalf of all WA road users would be to canvass the Federal Government to adequately fund the National Highway System, for which it was responsible.

"Great Northern Highway through the Swan Valley and Great Eastern Highway, which has a tragic record of death and injury, are prime examples of national highways being short-funded by the Commonwealth and WA motorists being obliged to suffer from their shabby treatment," he said.

Media contact:   Ian Hasleby 321 7333