Construction of the Parramatta Light Rail Stage Two Enabling Works package is one step closer, as three organisations have been shortlisted to tender for the delivery of the vital bridge connection over Parramatta River between Wentworth Point and Melrose Park.
The package involves the delivery of a 320m long public and active transport bridge over Parramatta River, together with approaches on either side of the river, totalling 1.3km.
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 8.5km stretch of new shared walking and bike-riding paths and separated cycleways along the Parramatta Light Rail Stage Two corridor, also connecting to existing local shared path networks.
The organisations shortlisted for the Request for Tender process are:
- CPB Contractors / McConnell Dowell Constructors (Australia)
- Fulton Hogan Construction / SRG Global
- John Holland Group
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 Two will connect Stage One and the Parramatta CBD to Sydney Olympic Park via Camellia, Rydalmere, Ermington, Melrose Park and Wentworth Point. The project is set to connect the local communities in the Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula, and bring the vision of a ‘30-minute city’ closer to reality.
Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary Infrastructure and Place, Camilla Drover, said that the community will not have to wait much longer.
“The latest tender to deliver a new bridge over Parramatta River follows the New South Wales Government’s $200 million commitment in the 2023-24 New South Wales Budget to expedite the Stage Two project’s planning processes,” Ms Drover said.
“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.”
Featured image: A render of the completed bridge over Parramatta River. Image credit: New South Wales Government.
