Bidders for construction of eastern section of Hunter Expressway have been whittled down to two
September 23, 2009
Bidders for the construction of $1.7 billion eastern section of the Hunter Expressway have been whittled down to two.
A consortium of Theiss, Parsons, Brinckerhoff and Hyder will compete with the consortium of Abigroup, Baulderstone, Hornibrook, Sinclair Knight Merz and the Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation to provide a new east-west connection between Newcastle and the Lower Hunter.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese says the New South Wales Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) has assessed the proposals from potential bidders and has asked the two consortia to participate in the next stage of the selection process.
“After a further detailed assessment process the final tender will be awarded to one of these consortiums later this year, with construction expected to start on the 14 kilometre eastern section in early 2010,” Albanese says.
The federal and NSW-funded project will deliver a four-lane expressway to be constructed under two contracts.
The eastern section from the F3 to Kurri Kurri will be built under an alliance, while the western section from Kurri Kurri to Branxton will be built under a design and construct contract.
NSW Transport Minister David Campbell says in July the RTA invited interest from the construction industry for the design and construction of the 26 kilometre western section.
“The applications received at that time are currently being assessed by the RTA, with a shortlist to be finalised by December and the tender awarded by mid 2010,” Campbell says.
The project will require the Government to acquire properties and relocate utilities.