Construction a step closer for Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 Enabling Works
A vital new bridge connection over Parramatta River between Wentworth Point and Melrose Park is a step closer for communities in the Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula, with three leading industry organisations shortlisted to tender for the delivery of the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 Enabling Works package.
The package involves the delivery of a 320-metre-long public and active transport bridge over Parramatta River, together with approaches on either side of the river, totalling 1.3 kilometres.
It will be the first major bridge crossing over the Parramatta River since the completion of the Ryde Bridge in 1987, marking a major milestone for local growing communities.
Design and early works (including site establishment and utilities relocations) are expected to commence in 2024, with major construction to start in 2025, subject to planning approval.
Once constructed, the bridge will integrate with the planned 8.5-kilometre stretch of new shared walking and bike-riding paths and separated cycleways along the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 corridor, also connecting to existing local shared path networks.
The organisations shortlisted for the Request for Tender process are:
• CPB Contractors Pty Ltd / McConnell Dowell Constructors (Australia) Pty Ltd;
• Fulton Hogan Construction Pty Ltd / SRG Global; and
• John Holland Group Pty Ltd.
The project attracted significant interest from more than 19 leading organisations across Australia and around the world during the Registration of Interest process (between 5 December 2022 and 18 January 2023). Of those, eight submissions were received from Expressions of Interest between 30 January and 14 March 2023, which culminated in the above shortlisted organisations.
The contract is expected to be awarded in 2024.
Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 will connect Stage 1 and the Parramatta CBD to Sydney Olympic Park via Camellia, Rydalmere, Ermington, Melrose Park and Wentworth Point. It will connect the local communities in the Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula, and bring the vision of a ‘30-minute city’ closer to reality.
Visit the Parramatta Light Rail website for more information: http://www.parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au.
Transport for NSW’s Deputy Secretary Infrastructure and Place Camilla Drover said:
“The community will not have to wait much longer: the latest tender to deliver a new bridge over Parramatta River follows the NSW Government’s $200 million commitment in the 2023-24 NSW Budget to expedite the Stage 2 project’s planning processes.
“We are pleased to have selected the contractors who will tender for the delivery of this significant community asset, with demonstrated experience in the successful delivery of similar bridge projects.
“With 72,000 new homes and 110,000 new jobs expected across the Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula over the next 13 years, I am thrilled that we are delivering real, tangible infrastructure solutions to support growing communities.”