Friday, 12 October 2018

The first of many local contractors has been awarded work to support the planning phase for the new rail bridge over the Avon River.

Preparatory works are now underway and local contractors are already beginning to reap the rewards of this vital $95 million project.

OnePlan Land Development Group, which has offices in Bairnsdale and Beaconsfield, will begin cadastral surveying at the Avon River site on Monday and complete the work over the next two weeks.

The survey will determine where the existing property boundaries are around the bridge site and is a vital part of the planning process.

The Gippsland Line Upgrade is now a program participant with GROW Gippsland to maximise local and social employment and procurement opportunities.

The $530 million Gippsland Line Upgrade will deliver improved train services to the growing communities of Gippsland and create hundreds of jobs.

Work to select a contractor to build the new rail bridge is also well advanced, with the Request For Proposal (RFP) phase for shortlisted contractors opening on Friday 12 October.

RPV has shortlisted three contractors – Downer EDI Works, CPB Contractors and a Joint Venture between Coleman Rail and Decmil Southern – who will provide detailed proposals on how they plan to deliver the bridge.

These proposals are due early next year and following an evaluation period, RPV will award the design and construct contract mid-2019.

Construction on the bridge is targeted to begin in late 2019, with a target completion date of early 2021, subject to planning and environmental approvals.

The Gippsland Line Upgrade is part of the joint funded $1.75 billion Regional Rail Revival program. For more information visit regionalrailrevival.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

“We want to see this bridge for locals be built by locals.”

“The new rail bridge over Avon River is a vital part of the Gippsland Line Upgrade that will deliver new trains and boost services to Gippsland.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“We’re working hard to deliver this long-awaited transformation of train services to communities along the Gippsland line.”

“As these works continue we are seeing local businesses and companies getting involved, and which is another important part of supporting our growing local economy.”