Roads Australia
The problem of urban road congestion – and possible solutions to it - have again been under the media spotlight around Australia in the past fortnight.
The Age reported there was growing support for a new rail tunnel under central Melbourne as part of a proposed new line from Footscray to Parkville. The report said the calls came on the back of a drop in the number of cars going into the CBD, with City of Melbourne figures showing public transport was the preferred means of travel into the city.
Meantime, the Herald Sun reported on a survey commissioned by the Eastern Transport Coalition which found that about seven in 10 workers from the eastern suburbs drove to work, but 60 per cent of those would switch if public transport was improved.
The Herald Sun also reported Premier John Brumby may initiate more road improvements, together with public transport initiatives, to ease congestion in Melbourne.
Elsewhere, the Age reported that Melbourne Lord Mayor John So was seeking more than $4 billion from the Federal Government for critical transport infrastructure projects for the city. The Age said the Lord Mayor supported a possible toll road connecting the Eastern and Tullamarine freeways and the Port of Melbourne.
In Sydney, the Daily Telegraph last week reported that a yet-to-be released State Government transport plan would include a 12 kilometre tunnel linking the M4 to Sydney Airport and Port Botany, and a second M5 tunnel to the Airport.
The Telegraph said the $5 billion road infrastructure plan was required to cope with a massive increase in truck movements in Sydney, with one in four vehicles on the road predicted to be a freight truck by 2020.
Also reporting on the proposed plan, the SMH said Premier Iemma had confirmed the Office of the Co-ordinator General was working with the RTA on a discussion paper. The Herald said this paper would be released in the next few months.
In Brisbane, the Courier Mail reported that the $3 billion North South Bypass Tunnel from Woolloongabba to Bowen Hills would open by the end of 2009, 10 months ahead of schedule.
The Federal Government has committed to the upgrade of the north-south road corridor from Darlington south of Adelaide to the CBD and the Port of Adelaide.
Announcing the commitment in Adelaide last weekend, Prime Minister John Howard said his Government would include South Road, south of Sir Donald Bradman Drive, in the national road network and commit some $1 billion - to be matched by the South Australian Government between now and the estimated completion of the project by 2020.
Mr Howard said the Federal Government would also provide $100 million towards the duplication of the Southern Expressway in Adelaide, subject to the South Australian Government committing to provide the balance.
The Adelaide Advertiser reported that SA Transport Minister Paul Conlon had cautiously welcomed the South Road plan, but was critical of the funding commitment to the Southern Expressway.
He was reported as saying the cost of the Expressway upgrade would be $275 million, leaving a $75 million shortfall.
Former US Vice President Al Gore will be among a group of key speakers at the OUR PLANET – LEAVING A LEGACY technical forum, hosted by GHD next month.
The forum is being held in Melbourne on September 21.
OUR PLANET is structured around five technical sessions focusing on biodiversity, sustainable transport solutions, low emission energy sources, water and sustainability.
The event also includes a Special Segment on Sustainable Built Environments, the unveiling of ZERO (GHD’s carbon neutral concept building of the future), a networking session and a spectacular gala-dinner.
For more information go to www.ghd.com.au/ourplanet
Leighton International has been named as preferred contractor on a US$550 million highway in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The project involves the construction of a 6.5 km highway comprising five lanes in each direction.
The highway will link Abu Dhabi city with Saadiyat Island, the 27 square kilometre natural island lying just 500 metres offshore the UAE capital.
The project is likely to start in August and is due for completion in September 2009.
The Victorian Government is inviting public submissions as part of the first five-yearly audit of Melbourne’s long-term planning strategy, Melbourne 2030.
“Constructive feedback will help us take positive steps forward to fine-tune the way we plan for the future and manage growth,” Minister for Planning, Justin Madden, said this week.
“The audit is an excellent opportunity to take stock of the implementation process and how we can do things better so that Melbourne remains one of the most liveable cities in the world.”
Submissions can be made until September 24, 2007.
An independent Audit Expert Group will review the submissions and is expected to submit its report and recommendations to the Minister in early 2008.
For more information go to www.melbourne2030.vic.gov.au
FRH has been awarded the 2007 Victorian Civil Contractors Federation Earth Award for a Category 2 project for its successful delivery of the Murray River Bridge at Cobram-Barooga.
The project involved the design and construction of a 200m, six span dual lane bridge over the Murray River and approximately 1km of roadworks.
The FRH team received the award in recognition of their commitment to innovation and construction excellence that resulted in the project being completed seven weeks early.
ARF and the Victorian Civil Construction Industry Alliance are hosting a lunch in Melbourne next month with Martin Ferguson, the Shadow Minister for Transport, Roads and Tourism.
Mr Ferguson stands to become the new Minister responsible for Australia's transport and roads if Labor is elected to office at the forthcoming Federal election. This is a timely lunch and an opportunity to measure what may be in store.
The lunch is on 27 September at the Carousel, 22 Aughtie Drive, Albert Park Lake, and is open to both ARF members and non-members. Book online.
Submitted by Mark Bowmer on Thursday August 30th 2007 5:55pm
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