Nexus wins $۱.۱۴bn Queenslands Toowoomba Second Range Crossing project

TIN news:         Australia's Queensland Government has awarded an A$1.6bn ($1.14bn) contract to a Nexus consortium to deliver the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing project.
 
The consortium includes Transfield Services, Plenary Group, Cintra Infraestructuras Internacional, Acciona Concesiones, Acciona Infrastructure Australia and Ferrovial Agroman Australia.
 
Under the deal, the consortium will be responsible for providing road design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions for the 41km highway in Toowoomba.
 
Construction under this project is expected to start later this year and is scheduled to be completed by late 2018.
"More than 1,800 full-time jobs will be supported during construction of the project, which is a boost for long-term employment prospects in the region."
 
Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said: "Nexus was selected for the project because of their expertise, innovative design and ability to deliver a value-for-money project that will support the movement of freight to the Port of Brisbane.
 
"More than 1,800 full-time jobs will be supported during construction of the project, which is a boost for long-term employment prospects in the region.
 
"The new road will also save up to 40 minutes in travel time for heavy vehicles compared to travelling on the existing Range Crossing, while also avoiding 18 sets of traffic lights."
 
For this project, the Australian and Queensland Governments have committed up to A$1.28bn ($923m) and A$321m ($231m) respectively.
 
Federal member for Groom Ian Macfarlane said: "The Australian Government considers the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing to be one of the nation's most important infrastructure projects and has committed A$1.28bn toward the project."
 
The proposed design solution of the consortium includes four lanes (two lanes each way) from Warrego Highway East Interchange at Helidon to Warrego Highway West, grade-separated interchanges at Warrego Highway West, Toowoomba-Cecil Plains Road and Gore Highway, and a separated connection to Mort Street.
 
The project will also include a 30m cutting at the top of Toowoomba Second Range as an alternative to the tunnel solution as detailed in the reference design, construction of an 800m viaduct built over the existing Queensland Rail line, and continuity of the New England Highway through a new bridge over the cutting.