Georgiou to build Mandurah bridge

Perth construction contractor Georgiou Group has locked in another substantial infrastructure project, after winning a $52 million contract to build a new four-lane traffic bridge in Mandurah.

The project involves decommissioning the existing 62-year-old Mandurah traffic bridge and building a new bridge to its north.

Georgiou was selected ahead of two other short-listed groups - Lendlease Engineering, and a joint venture between Adelaide-based York Civil and Spain-headquartered OHL Group.

Main Roads WA is contributing $40 million to the project while the City of Mandurah has provided $3 million; a further $8.8 million is from the Royalties for Regions pool.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder said improving traffic capacity with two traffic lanes in each direction and safety for pedestrians and cyclists with separate, wider facilities over the bridge were key features of the project.

“The new structure will provide a central point of interest and an area for the Mandurah community to use for recreational activities, while accommodating the road users that move between residential, commercial and holiday pursuits,” he said.

“It’s excellent that Georgiou’s proposal retains sections of the old bridge to build platforms beneath the new bridge, for use by the community for fishing, crabbing and prawning.”

Mr Nalder said 200 jobs would be created over the duration of the construction, which is set to begin during the first quarter of the year and be completed by late 2017.

Towards the end of construction, the traffic and pedestrian crossing will be closed for a short period for the new bridge to be tied into the existing road network.

Other substantial infrastructure projects being developed by Georgiou include a $52.3 million contract, signed in November, to build the Aubin Grove train station, which includes two pedestrian footbridges and a bus interchange.

The contractor had earlier been selected to work with local architecture firms Coniglio Ainsworth Architects and MPS Architects, ahead of the formal contract award.

This followed the awarding of a $16 million contract to build a multi-storey car park at Edgewater train station.

Georgiou is also working on a $65 million upgrade of Reid Highway and was a member of the consortium that developed the $1 billion Gateway roads project around Perth Airport.

In addition, it has secured roads and infrastructure projects on the east coast, including the $57 million Northern Road upgrade in NSW.