Government approves tender shortlist for Clarence River Bridge project

Warren Truss, Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, announced the tender shortlist for three companies to construct a new bridge over the Clarence River.

The three companies set for consideration are Lend Lease Engineering Pty Ltd, Rizzani de Eccher Australia and AFVJ Acciona Ferrovial Joint Venture.

The bridge is part of the Woolgoolga to Ballina section of the Pacific Highway upgrade, with aims to deliver a more reliable road between Sydney and Brisbane.

“This announcement continues the Australian government's $5.64 billion commitment to complete the Pacific Highway upgrade by the end of the decade,” Mr Truss said.

“Improving the efficiency of the Pacific Highway is vital to national productivity as this route carries three-quarters of all freight traffic between Brisbane and Sydney.”

The new Clarence River Bridge at Harwood will accommodate four lanes of traffic and span approximately 1.3 kilometres in length.

Duncan Gay, NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, said the Woolgoolga to Ballina 155 kilometre stretch is the final section of the Pacific Highway upgrade.

“Once the tenders are received, Roads and Maritime in partnership with its delivery partner Pacific Complete will assess the proposals. Work on the new crossing is expected to start in 2016,” Mr Gay said.

Luke Hartsuyker, Federal Member for Cowper, said seven businesses had registered interest in the project.  

“The new bridge will be the longest of 40 bridges to be built as part of the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade. It must be aesthetically pleasing, meet all safety requirements, include flood mitigation measures and provide a 30 metre navigational clearance for marine traffic,” Mr Hartsuyker said.

Government officials claim more than 4,000 people will work directly on the upgrades, with a further 12,000 working indirectly.

The project is being funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.

Source: ProjectLink.com.au

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