Expressions of interest lodged for City Northern Bypass

18/7/95

A strong field of private sector contractors has indicated an interest in designing and building part of Perth's Northern City Bypass.

Transport Minister Eric Charlton said five consortia had lodged expressions of interest for the design and construction work involved in the first contract.

"This includes connection to the Mitchell Freeway, the 1.6 kilometre, fully-enclosed tunnel through Northbridge, an interchange at Lord Street and a 250 metre rail tunnel in East Perth where the road crosses the railway line," Mr Charlton said.

The City Northern Bypass is a $335 million project which will link Great Eastern Highway in Rivervale with the Mitchell Freeway in West Perth and include a new bridge across the Swan River at Burswood.

Construction is expected to commence towards the end of 1996, with the bypass open to traffic by the end of 2000.

Mr Charlton said the project was essential to the future management plans for the entire metropolitan area. Together with associated projects for traffic calming and bus priorities in the city centre and heritage projects for Northbridge, it would bring a new quality of life to the city and alleviate many congestion and road safety problems on a broader scale.

"I am delighted that some of the leading construction companies in Australia are willing to work with the Government and Main Roads in bringing this concept to reality," the Minister said.

Main Roads would assess the expressions of interest during the next six weeks and a short list of up to three consortia would be invited to develop concept designs and proposals for construction methods and submit tenders.

Mr Charlton said the assessment of these tenders was an involved process and the final appointment would not be known until next year.

"During the tender evaluation process, we must observe the commercial confidentiality of the proponents, which means that we cannot reveal or speculate about the construction methods until the successful tenderer is appointed," he said.

Media contact:  Ian Hasleby 321 7333