The Mitchell Freeway Extension is under way, with preferred tenderer Macmahon Contractors Pty Ltd being formally awarded a design and construct contract.
The Mitchell Freeway Extension is under way, with preferred tenderer Macmahon Contractors Pty Ltd being formally awarded a design and construct contract.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister, Alannah MacTiernan said the $171.5 million Mitchell Freeway project involved an extension of approximately four kilometres from Hodges Drive to Burns Beach Road.
"I am determined to have this project finished as soon as practicable and to that end Macmahon has already started design work," Ms MacTiernan said.
"Site work will start in November this year.
"Everything is now directed at a mid-2008 project completion to ensure motorists in the northern suburbs receive the benefits of improved traffic flow as soon as possible."
Joondalup MLA Tony O'Gorman and Mindarie MLA John Quigley said the announcement was good news for the northern suburbs.
Mr O'Gorman said detailed community consultation since late 2004 had improved the project proposal and dealt with many concerns.
"Major concerns about the impact of the extension, including the height of the freeway, had been addressed by a Community Consultative Working Group, which included representatives of local residents and interest groups, business and local government," he said.
Mr Quigley said consultation would continue through the Construction Reference Group, which replaced the CCWG early this year.
"The construction reference group has already made valuable input to the details of the project," he said.
Macmahon's project director, Brian Turner, has already promised the CRG that the company will listen carefully to its concerns.
"I am very confident we can fulfil the CRG's expectations on this project within the scope of the works," Mr Turner said.
An announcement from Macmahon is pasted below
Macmahon Holdings Limited announced today that it has been awarded a $111 million contract to design and construct the four and a half kilometre extension of the Mitchell Freeway from Hodges Drive to Burns Beach Road, for Main Roads WA.
The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure had previously announced that Macmahon was the preferred contractor for this project.
Macmahon Chief Executive Officer, Nick Bowen, considers that the awarding of this contract marks another major milestone in the growth of the Group.
"The Mitchell Freeway extension is a significant project that will improve the traffic flows for a large number of people in Perth's northern suburbs," Mr Bowen said.
"Macmahon has demonstrated its construction capability by delivering Four major metropolitan road and rail infrastructure projects in recent years. This contract follows our work on the Tonkin Highway, Roe Highway Stage 6, Great Eastern Highway and the Package A section of the Perth to Mandurah Railway.
"The construction phase for this project will start in late November this year, with completion scheduled for late 2008.
"We are delighted to again be working with Main Roads WA and I am certain that our strong ongoing relationship will ensure the success of this project.
"Macmahon will have a team of up to 200 people working on this contract and one of the key elements will be our intention to minimise disruption to the communities near the Freeway," he said.
The project includes three interchanges, with bridges over the Freeway at Hodges Drive, Shenton Avenue and Moore Drive. Macmahon will provide pedestrian paths and underpasses for the full length of the extension and deliver an architect designed footbridge over the Freeway between Hodges Drive and Shenton Avenue.
Macmahon will also relocate a section of the railway near Moore Drive from the west side into the centre of the Freeway and this will require the construction of a 280 metre rail tunnel under one carriageway.
