Expressions of interest for two design and construct contracts are being sought for the major METRONET project in Kelmscott, Western Australia.
One of the contracts is for the rail and bridge portion of the works, and the other for the road and civic infrastructure components.
The $69 million level crossing removal at Denny Avenue is expected to improve safety and amenity, with construction expected to start later this year, creating new jobs.
The WA State Government has also kicked off the official call for expressions of interest for companies to construct the new road under a rail crossing on Davis Road.
The contractors will be required to demonstrate how they will minimise road and rail disruptions during construction, to ensure the community can keep moving through the Kelmscott area.
The notoriously dangerous level crossing will be replaced by a road underpass at Davis Road, which will see the rail raised and the road lowered.
This will improve the safety of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians; maintain an important east-west connection between Albany Highway and Railway Avenue; and enable public space improvements in the area.
The demolition of the five State Government-owned houses on Railway and Third avenues by the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority are necessary for the project’s construction.
The Denny Avenue level crossing removal will also facilitate some activation of the precinct around Kelmscott Station, including new Principal Shared Path, making Denny Avenue a tree-lined boulevard and creating new public space.
WA Transport Minister, Rita Saffioti, said, “The release of the EOI is another key step for this critical METRONET project in the heart of Kelmscott.
“Each package of works has a different risk profile for the contractor, so the decision was made to split them into two design and construct contracts.
“The removal of the Denny Avenue level crossing will greatly improve the daily lives of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, improving safety and decreasing road congestion in the area.
“With construction set to start later this year, this project marks the first part of METRONET’s level crossing removal program and commitment to improving safety for our communities.”
