Tenders from prequalified contractors have been invited for construction of the $103.8 million duplication of Tourle Street and Cormorant Road at Kooragang Island.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said early preliminary works began last week to ensure the successful tenderer is able to start work as soon as possible. The State Government says the company given the job of overseeing a key Hunter infrastructure project must make traffic management a priority, amid fears of gridlock on Kooragang Island.
“The Australian and NSW governments have each committed $51.9 million to deliver the upgrade of Tourle Street and Cormorant Road at Kooragang Island,” Mr Truss said.
“The successful contractor will be responsible for duplicating 3.8 kilometres of Tourle Street and Cormorant Road between Industrial Drive at Mayfield West and Egret Street at Kooragang.'
- Kooragang Island is home to a major industrial and employment centre in NSW and is part of the world's largest coal export port.
- Tourle Street and Cormorant Road form the main corridor connecting Kooragang Island to Newcastle and the southern section of the Port of Newcastle.
- "If there's an accident that happens on that stretch, virtually everywhere up to Nelson Bay gets blocked off and also of course it's important for freight and the economic benefit of the region," said Regional Development Australia Hunter CEO Todd Williams.
- The road is also the main transport corridor connecting Newcastle with Newcastle Airport and Port Stephens. About 33,000 vehicles use the corridor each day, including more than 3000 heavy vehicles.
- Roads and Maritime is upgrading the corridor to improve traffic flow and cater for the forecast increase in traffic movements due to future urban development in Port Stephens, the expansion of Newcastle Airport and growth of industrial development on Kooragang Island.
- Tourle Street Bridge was replaced in 2009 to improve heavy vehicle loading capacity. The bridge was built as the first stage of providing four continuous travel lanes between Industrial Drive at Mayfield West and Fern Bay. Duplication will ensure the corridor has sufficient capacity to accommodate current and projected traffic volumes.
- Duplicating Tourle Street Bridge adjacent to the western side of the existing bridge
- To widen Tourle Street on the southern approach to the bridge from Tourle Street Bridge from approximately 350m north of the Industrial Drive intersection.
- To widen Cormorant Road on the northern approach to the bridge through to approximately 200m West of Egret Street on Kooragang Island. This would replace a two lane road with a four lane road, for a length of approximately 3.8km (Minimising impact on the Long Pond by mainly widening the road on the southern side of the existing Cormorant Road).
- 2.5 metre shoulders along Cormorant Road to cater for on-road cyclists
- As the proposal lies within the lowlands of the south channel of the Hunter River filling and extending the earthworks would be required.
- Maintaining access to existing businesses along the corridor.
- Catering for future industrial development on Kooragang Island next to the existing road.
How to get involved:
Read the Urban Design, Landscape Character and Visual Impact Assessment here.
“Prequalified contractors are now invited to submit tenders for major building work which is expected to start early next year after the successful contractor is announced.”
Tenders close at 2.30pm on Wednesday 18 November 2015. Tenders are to be lodged in the Tender Box, at Roads and Maritime Services, Level 9, 101 Miller Street, North Sydney NSW 2060.
For more information on the duplication of Tourle Street, Cormorant Road at Kooragang visitwww.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects and www.tenders.nsw.gov.au/rta.
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