Planning works for the new Avon River rail bridge have entered into their next phase, with the Victorian government this week awarding a contract for surveying work.
OnePlan Land Development Group, which has offices in Bairnsdale and Beaconsfield, will begin carrying out cadastral surveying the Avon River site on Monday and over the next two weeks.
An important part of the planning process for the bridge, the surveying work will determine where the existing property boundaries are around the bridge site.
“We’re working hard to deliver this long-awaited transformation of train services to communities along the Gippsland line,” said Labor’s MP for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing.
“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.”
The Gippsland Line Upgrade is a program participant with GROW Gippsland, which aims to maximise local and social employment and procurement opportunities.
“We want to see this bridge for locals be built by locals,” state transport minister Jacinta Allan.
The Request For Proposal (RFP) phase for shortlisted companies for major construction work has also opened today. Rail Projects Victoria has shortlisted three contractors – Downer EDI Works, CPB Contractors and a joint venture between Coleman Rail and Decmil Southern – who are to provide detailed proposals on their plans for the construction of the bridge.
The proposals will be due in early 2019 and, following an evaluation period, Rail Projects Victoria will award the design and construct contract in the middle of that year. Construction on the bridge planned to begin in late 2019, with a target completion date of early 2021, subject to planning and environmental approvals.