Civmec wins bridge contract

Henderson company Civmec has won the steel fabrication contract for the Swan River pedestrian bridge at Burswood, with the government hopeful the bridge will be completed in time for the start of next year’s AFL season.  

Civmec effectively replaces Toyota Tsusho, which was contracted by the York Civil - Rizzani joint venture to fabricate the steel deck and arch components of the bridge in Malaysia.

That subcontract was terminated in June after Toyota Tsusho failed to deliver bridge components within the extended deadlines.

Transport minister Rita Saffioti, who announced the Civmec contract on Saturday, did not specify its value but said the cost of locally manufactured steel was estimated to be $25 million.

Ms Saffioti was cautiously positive about meeting the revised completion date of March 2018, which aligns with the first round of AFL games starting on Thursday March 22.

“While the steel fabrication is challenging and complex, and there is a risk that the target completion date may not be met, the advice we have received is that the March schedule can work,” she said in a statement.

The new agreement brings Civmec into the Swan River Bridge Alliance, which also includes Main Roads Western Australia and York Rizzani.

The alliance, using Civmec’s expertise, will manage the steel fabrication, painting of the arches and decks and their transportation to the construction sites near the new Perth Stadium. 

Ms Saffioti said the new program of works relied on Civmec organising the services of other local companies and workshops to assist with the fabrication and shop detailing.

The work is estimated to generate 250 jobs.

As head contractor for the project, the York Rizzani joint venture can earn an extra $2.6 million if it meets the March 2018 target.

That would bring the cost of the project to $83 million.

In addition, there will be site assembly costs, which the government has not specified.

Ms Saffioto said the new sub-contract provided a clearer line of sight to completion.

“We share York Rizzani Joint Venture’s view that their new arrangements provide a more reliable basis for successfully completing the project than previously, and the decision to enlist local industry to get the job done was the best way forward.”