A preferred bidder has been selected for the tunnelling package for North East Link, which will fix the missing link in Melbourne’s freeway network, reduce travel times and free up local roads for local trips.
The successful bidder will construct the twin 3-lane tunnels and key interchanges.
Spark has been selected as the preferred bidder to deliver the tunnelling package. Spark comprises WeBuild, GS Engineering and Construction, CPB Contractors, China Construction Oceania, Ventia, Capella Capital, John Laing Investments, DIF and Pacific Partnerships.
The new tunnels will protect homes and sensitive environmental areas including the Yarra River, Banyule Flats and Warringal Parklands.
The tunnelling package will be delivered as a Public Private Partnership. We’ll now work with the preferred bidder to negotiate a final contract and finalise their concept design for North East Link – ready to share details with the community before the end of the year.
Once the tunnelling package is awarded, the project will go out to market for other key elements of North East Link including a massive overhaul of the Eastern Freeway, Melbourne’s first dedicated busway, the completion of the M80 Ring Road and more than 25km of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths.
North East Link will connect the M80 Ring Road to an upgraded Eastern Freeway, reducing travel times by up to 35 minutes, taking 15,000 trucks off local roads.
It will link key growth areas in the north and south-east, providing an efficient connection for up to 135,000 vehicles each day, and allowing travel from Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs to the airport without stopping at a single traffic light.
A big focus is on creating local jobs for local people, with more than 10,000 jobs on the project and 10% of total work hours to be done by apprentices, trainees or cadets as part of the Government’s Local Jobs First Policy.
Construction on the tunnelling package is expected to begin after contract award later in the year.