Search for head contractor for SA Torrens to Darlington Project begins

South Australia’s biggest infrastructure project to date has reached another significant milestone as the Registration of Interest (ROI) process to find a head contractor to build the River Torrens to Darlington (T2D) Project commences. 

The South Australian Government has issued the ROI to prequalified companies and more information can be found on the Tenders SA website. 

“This is an important project for South Australia and will make a difference to people, getting them home quicker and safer. 

“The River Torrens to Darlington Project takes another big step forward today with the effective start of a worldwide search for contractors to design, build and operate this transformative motorway. 

“Today’s issuing of the Registration of Interest is further evidence that we’re getting on with the job of building the biggest and most ambitious infrastructure project in South Australian history,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said. 

Through this ROI process, the SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport is providing more details about the scope as well as technical requirements of the projects to potential contractors that will lead a consortium to ultimately bid to design, build and operate the new motorway. 

Before companies can gain access to the ROI, they must demonstrate that they have the capacity to take part in the project. 

An Expression of Interest (EOI) is scheduled to be released by the Department by April of this year as part of the procurement process. A Request for Proposal (RFP) will follow suit around September 2023, with the contract to be awarded in mid-2024. 

In December 2022, the State Government released the major design and other changes along with revisions to the timeline and approach to project construction and procurement. You can read more about it here. 

“Late last year, after a comprehensive design overhaul, the State Government put this project back on track by announcing improvements to the safety and connectivity of the motorway that ensure it is delivered right the first time and for the long term. 

“The Registration of Interest allows the Department for Infrastructure and Transport to provide more information about the project to potential bidders, and for those entities to demonstrate their level of interest and technical capability. 

“It’s the first part of a four-phase procurement process that is scheduled to culminate in mid-2024 with the awarding of the main construction contract,” SA Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Tom Koutsantonis said. 

Main construction works are anticipated to commence in 2025, with the tunnel boring machine (TBM) set to begin works on the Southern Tunnels in 2026. 

Preparatory works – including design, ground investigations and relocation of utilities – have already supported up to 500 jobs and approximately 5,500 full-time equivalent jobs are expected to be supported during the major construction phase. 

The head contractor, once chosen, is required to demonstrate how they will maximise local participation in the delivery of the T2D Project. This includes engagement with local subcontractors, supply chain and workers. 

South Australian companies that are interested in getting involved in the delivery of the project can register their interest through the Industry Capability Network (ICN) Gateway website. 

“We are confident there will be widespread interest in this procurement process and the chance to lead the delivery of this state-building project. 

“Importantly, the State Government is committed to ensuring this project delivers maximum benefits to South Australian workers and companies and the successful consortium will be tasked with making it happen. 

“We’re determined that at least 90 per cent of the project labour will be provided by South Australian workers, with a focus on providing key roles for Aboriginal workers, apprentices, trainees and jobseekers who are long-term unemployed,” Minister Koutsantonis said. 

The River Torrens to Darlington Project is valued at about $15.4 billion and it will deliver the last remaining 10.5-kilometre section of the North-South Corridor. 

Combining tunnels, lowered and surface-level motorway as well as overpasses and underpasses at key intersections, the T2D Project will complete the North-South Corridor to create a 78-kilometre non-stop, traffic light-free motorway between Gawler and Old Noarlunga. 

Once open to traffic, the T2D Project will enable motorists to avoid 21 sets of traffic lights between the River Torrens and Darlington while connecting communities across Greater Adelaide. In addition, commuting from West Hindmarsh to Darlington will only take nine minutes, slashing 30 to 40 minutes from travel times during peak traffic hours. 

Weather and construction conditions permitting, the River Torrens to Darlington Project is expected to be completed in 2031. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; T2D Torrens to Darlington (1, 2)