First contract awarded for upgrade of Bruce Highway south of Tully

Work to upgrade a flooding trouble spot at Tully on the Bruce Highway took another step today, with the naming of the group that will complete detailed design on the project.

Australian Government Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, Jim Lloyd, and Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Paul Lucas, announced that a BMD/Albem/Maunsell AECOM alliance had been awarded the $950,000 contract to carry out detailed design work.

The ministers said a contract for construction of the upgrade would be awarded early next year.

Mr Lloyd said the route chosen to upgrade the 15.5km section generally followed the existing highway south of the TullyRiver, and more closely followed the NorthCoast rail line, north of the TullyRiver. This reflected the alignment announced in March this year.

"The majority of the detailed design will be completed by the end of the year, with ongoing design work during construction as necessary,” Mr Lloyd said.

“The project is on schedule, with construction expected to begin in the middle of next year and be completed in late 2009, subject to wet weather delays.

"The Australian Government has provided $128 million for the project, which will upgrade a section of the Bruce Highway, south of Tully, between Corduroy Creek and TullyHigh School, including the TullyRiverBridge and Murray Flat sections.

"The upgrade will greatly reduce how often and for how long the highway is closed to flooding, when compared with the closures experienced now.

“The highway can be closed for up to five days in severe floods and averages closures of about two days each year in any wet season.

“The upgrade will deliver improvements so that closures in a severe flood (a one-in-fifty-year flood) will be at least halved to no more than two days and average closures would be about ten hours,” Mr Lloyd said.

Mr Lucas said the $950,000contract would involve BMD Major Projects and Albem working with Main Roads and design consultants Maunsells AECOM to complete the design and to plan how the project could be best delivered.

"BMD has experience in alliance contracts and has delivered projects in North Queensland, so they have an understanding of the conditions, which is vital when you are working in one of the wettest places in Australia," Mr Lucas said.

"Albem is an experienced bridge construction company which has also worked with Main Roads and BMD on alliance contracts.

"The alliance contract will manage the design and planning for the complex construction across the floodplains of the Tully and MurrayRivers and Banyan Creek."

Mr Lucas said the contract announcement would be well received by the local community.

"This announcement is a clear indication that progress is being made on this very important project," Mr Lucas said.

"I understand Main Roads' ongoing consultation with the stakeholders has been positive, with all parties working together to minimise impacts.

"I thank landowners and local groups for their cooperation.

"I also want to commend the Federal Government for committing to this important project. This work needed to be done and their recognition of that is appreciated”

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Inquiries: Minister Lloyd’s office: 02 6277 7060

Minister Lucas’ office: 0417 767 436