The NSW Government came in for criticism last week following news that receivers had been appointed to the operator of Sydney’s Lane Cove Tunnel (see story below).
The Sydney Morning Herald’s editorial writer criticised the Government's bidding process for such projects, saying it meant Sydney was unlikely to attract interest from the “the world’s most proven infrastructure builders and operators” for future projects.
There was also media speculation last week over the future of the underground Sydney Metro rail line after the Premier released a statement saying that the Government had stopped the acquisition of properties in the Rozelle area - until such time as it made a final decision.
Ms Keneally said a decision on the future of Sydney's metro rail network would be announced late next month (February).
Later in the week the Herald quoted sources to say the project would go ahead this year, but without a Rozelle station.
In other news, the Herald Sun reported this week that taxis and private vehicles would be banned from Melbourne’s Swanston Street under a new plan to go before Melbourne City Council.
Federal Transport and Infrastructure Minister, Anthony Albanese, says the official 2009 national road toll of 1,509 was up almost five percent on the previous year - albeit still the second lowest figure in almost 60 years and less than half the average recorded during the peak of the 1970’s (3,798).
Mr Albanese said this week that while tougher laws, improved driver training, better road design, extensive education campaigns and new vehicle technologies had done much to reduce road deaths over the last three decades, motorists themselves appeared to be a major obstacle to a further significant reduction in the road toll.
His comments came on the eve of next week’s inaugural meeting of the National Road Safety Council in Canberra.
Underlining the challenge facing governments was the results of a recent survey of 1615 Australians, conducted by the Social Research Centre. It found:
Federal Transport and Infrastructure Minister, Anthony Albanese, has signalled the Government is moving to make PPPs more attractive to private investors.
The Minister said this week Infrastructure Australia was currently developing the nation’s first ever national port strategy and national freight strategy – long term blueprints which together with the National Priority List would guide future investment in vital transport infrastructure.
“In coming years the private sector will need to play a greater role in infrastructure financing,” Mr Albanese said.
“For this reason Infrastructure Australia is finalising further reforms designed to make public-private-partnerships (PPPs) even more attractive to private investors.
“Both strategies, as well as the advice on the next stage of PPP reforms, are expected to be handed to the Government this year.”
Foreshadowing a big year for infrastructure development, Mr Albanese said work would commence in 2010 on a large number of major transport projects, including:
He said work was also continuing on a number of vital projects including the upgrade of the Ipswich Motorway in Brisbane; the upgrade of the Western Ring Road in Melbourne, and the Mandurah Entrance Road in Western Australia.
Meantime, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd outlined his Government’s broad economic rationale for infrastructure development in a major speech in Adelaide last week. Click here to read the PM’s speech.
Receivers were last week appointed to Connector Motorways Pty Ltd, the owner and operator of the Lane Cove Tunnel and the Military Road E-Ramp in Sydney.
KordaMentha partners, Martin Madden and David Merryweather, were appointed by the security trustee, BTA institutional services Australia Limited.
“The objective of the receivers is to put the tunnel assets on a firm financial footing. We will be working to assess the best option for the tunnel’s future, including a sale,” Mr Madden said.
“Operationally, the tunnel and Military E-Ramp are performing well with patronage having increased by almost 9 per cent over the past 12 months ending December 2009. We do not intend to make any significant operational changes.
“We intend to work closely with the management team, the RTA and the State Government to secure a long term sustainable business for what is a valuable asset in Sydney’s road system.
“In the meantime, the tunnel and the Military Road E-Ramp will continue to operate as usual.”
Abigroup, as part of the Monash Alliance with VicRoads and SKM, has completed the $204 million upgrade of the Monash Freeway in Melbourne - ahead of schedule, under budget and with an unblemished safety record.
The project was completed on 6 December, several weeks ahead of schedule, and involved the upgrade of a 7.5km stretch of the Monash Freeway (M1) between CityLink (west of Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn) and Warrigal Road, Chadstone.
At the peak of the project around 350 people worked for the Monash Alliance (a partnership between VicRoads, SKM and Abigroup) on the M1 upgrade and there were no Lost Time Injuries (LTIs) over 800,000 person hours.
In addition to extensive use of concrete barriers to protect both workers and motorists, many short term works adjacent to live traffic lanes were protected by crash attenuator trucks while maintaining normal freeway speed limits; the first substantial application of this technology on a major road project in Victoria.
Creating a new process and method for this safety innovation was recognised with a VicRoads safety innovation award last year, presented by VicRoads’ CEO in an Alliance function attended also by Abigroup Managing Director, David Jurd, and SKM CEO, Paul Dougas.
With Monash Alliance now complete, many of the staff and workers will now be moving over to Abigroup’s next big road project in Victoria: the newly won $759m Peninsula Link motorway.
An important milestone has been reached on the $190 million Townsville Port Access Road project, with the 2.5 kilometre Stuart Bypass completed.
The bypass provides a dedicated heavy vehicle link between the Bruce Highway and the Flinders Highway.
“The project team has done a fantastic job in completing this vital stage of the project and we now await the completion of stage two, the Eastern Access Corridor, which is progressing to schedule,” said Queensland Main Roads Minister, Craig Wallace.
Meantime a contractor is expected to be named next month for the jointly funded $110 million Douglas Arterial Duplication project, with major construction expected to start in mid-2010.
In other Queensland road news, the $1.88 billion Gateway Upgrade Project was set to deliver another major project milestone this weekend with the opening of a third northbound lane on the Gateway Motorway between Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road and just south of Old Cleveland Road.
WA Transport Minister Simon O’Brien says construction of the $101 million Reid Highway extension from West Swan Road to Great Northern Highway is fast approaching a successful completion.
Mr O’Brien said the project, being undertaken under contract by Macmahon Contractors, would be open to traffic towards the end of February.
The project has involved the construction of 2.6km of dual carriageway between West Swan Road and Great Northern Highway in Middle Swan; the provision of a road underpass and service road to facilitate safe local access; and significant improvements to the signalised intersection at Great Northern Highway.
It has also involved building a new road bridge across the Swan River, designed to accommodate four lanes of traffic and a separate shared path facility.
Early bird registration for the International Road Federation’s World Meeting in Portugal in May has been extended to February 15.
The conference is being held in Lisbon from May 25-28.
Conference themes include mobility, transport, infrastructure; road safety and security; sustainable roads; road finances and management; and techniques and innovations. Over 500 abstracts from 66 countries have been received.
The IRF World Meeting is a unique opportunity to meet with other members, visit an important exhibition, attend excellent technical sessions at international level and to learn about the latest products and best practices. It will be an outstanding meeting.
Click here for registration and conference details.
The 11th International Heavy Vehicle Symposium (HVTT11) is being held in Melbourne from March 14 to 17.
The four-day symposium will bring together some of the best technical, policy, safety and environmental experts from around the world. It will span the range between transport technology and transport policy and demonstrate the role of technology in shaping future policy.
The program includes technical sessions on braking, road wear relationships, and the performance of ‘road-friendly’ suspensions. Others will discuss heavy vehicle compliance including electronic log books, electronic route compliance and operator accreditation to ensure vehicle condition and compliance with mass regulations. Policy sessions will include discussion of the link between growth in road transport and GDP growth.
For more information, go to the conference website.
Transfield Services has renewed a NZ$103 million roading contract to maintain part of New Zealand’s state highway network for the next ten years.
Transfield Services will continue to deliver maintenance and civil works services for 350 kilometres of the North Island’s State highway network in the Waikato and King Country regions for the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).
Transfield Services’ CEO Australia and New Zealand, Mr Bruce James, said today: “We’re committed to working closely with our client to continue to maintain and improve these vital transport links for the people and businesses of the Waikato and Taranaki, and King Country regions.”
Under the contract with the NZTA, Transfield Services has custodianship of all aspects of this part of the roading network, maintaining and managing it to an agreed condition and performance level for the ten-year period.
Registration is now open for the 2010 RA Road Summit and John Shaw Medal Dinner, to be held in Sydney on April 22 and 23. Participants who book before February 28 can save 20 per cent on a combined Summit/Dinner registration.
The venue this year is WatersEdge at Pier One, Walsh Bay, overlooking Sydney Harbour.
The Summit is the peak annual gathering of Australia’s road industry leaders and in 2010 promises to again be a stellar industry event.
The program, which will shortly be available at the RA website, will comprise a mix of plenary sessions and workshops aligned with RA’s policy agenda.
The prestigious 2010 John Shaw Award and Dinner will be held on the first night of the Summit.
For information and registration of a Delegate’s Seat (Summit and Dinner combined), click here. To book for the John Shaw Medal Dinner only, including corporate tables, click here.
Submitted by Mark Bowmer on Friday January 29th 2010 4:31pm
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