Two consortia are now shortlisted and will be invited to submit detailed proposals for the design and construction of the $852 million Bunbury Outer Ring Road project in Western Australia. This new milestone takes the project one step closer to beginning construction.
The two consortia are:
- The Forrest Alliance - comprised of CPB Contractors, Carey MC, Densford Civil, GHD and BG&E
- Southwest Connex - comprised of Acciona, NRW Contracting, MACA Civil, AECOM and Aurecon
The contract to deliver the project is expected to be awarded before the end of the year and construction to commence in 2021 - subject to environmental and heritage approvals.
In addition, Main Roads WA is set to call early tenders soon for the supply of an initial quantity of crushed rock road base. With early tenders, local suppliers will be given ample time to identify potential material sources as well as plant and personnel requirements for the early stages of the project.
“Bunbury Outer Ring Road will provide relief for local residents by removing freight and regional traffic from local roads while maintaining easy access to Bunbury and other regional destinations.
“Investing in well-planned transport projects will keep the Bunbury region moving and boost its status as a major economic regional centre,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Regional Development Michael McCormack said.
According to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti, this project is set to deliver major benefits for the economy not only during its construction phase, but also once it opens to traffic.
“The Outer Ring Road is the biggest transport infrastructure project ever planned for the South-West and will generate significant economic and employment opportunities.
“Maximising local business procurement is a key objective for the project. The procurement process includes set criteria to ensure potential contractors incorporate initiatives to maximise local content,” Ms Saffioti said.
A Local Capability Fund will also be established to support small and medium-sized South-West firms in tendering for work on this project.
Minister Saffioti added, “Significant mandatory targets for Aboriginal employment and Aboriginal business involvement will need to be met by the alliance contractors during the delivery of the project.”
The Bunbury Outer Ring Road is expected to generate up to 5,680 direct and indirect job opportunities during its construction phase.
“I strongly believe local procurement is vital for projects in the South-West to boost local jobs and the economy.
“It’s important that money spent on our region, is spent in our region,” Federal Member for Forrest Hon Nola Marino MP said.
The Bunbury Outer Ring Road project scope includes:
- A new four-lane rural freeway-standard road
- Grade separated interchanges at Forrest Highway, Raymond Road, South Western Highway, Wireless Road, Willinge Road, Centenary Road/Lillydale Road and Bussell Highway
- Bridge river crossing at Collie River, Ferguson River and Preston River
- Two rail crossings
- Local government road connections
- A cyclist and pedestrian path along the entire length of the road
This project is jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments, each contributing $681.6 million and $170.4 million respectively.
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Source: Government of Western Australia; Main Roads WA (1, 2)
