AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013
STABILISATION Asphalt Paving & COMPACTION Road SAFETY
Special BUDGET FEATURE PART 2
PRINT POST APPROVED PP 334158/00024
Water & PIPES at
r po
r
o Inc
ab
t
S st
Au
ing
t n e
m g e
S
ROADS is supported by
Australia’s only specialist Road Management, Construction and Civil Works magazine
QUALITY & INNOVATION At Benninghoven, we believe that quality is defined by the highest levels of craftsmanship, functionality, and excellent durability. Together with qualified specialists from the industry, Benninghoven have developed their technology for your future success. Our economical and environmentally friendly, long lasting designs are guaranteed to match all of our customer requirements.
With expertise of today, your partner for tomorrow!
• Mobile, Transportable, Stationary and Container Asphalt Plants for both continuous and batch production, Capacity range 60-450 t/h
NY
A ERM
IN G E D MA
• Multi Fuel Combination Burners • High Efficient Bitumen Tank Systems • Bitumen Polymer & Emulsion Plants • Mixed Material Storage Systems • Asphalt Recycling Crushers • Hot and Cold Recycling Systems • Systems for Low-Temperature Asphalt Production / foam bitumen • Modernisation of existing plants • Computer Control with fault Diagnostic Systems • Additive Dosing Systems • Filter Technology Dealership:
Industrial Consultants Production Machinery BLISS & REELS P.O. Box 215 Ph: +613 9850-6666 Bulleen, VIC 3105, Fx: +613 9852-1345 Australia www.blissandreels.com.au
Visit us at
AAPA
The consistently high standard of BENNINGHOVEN products in every category has cemented our reputation as the best value,premium brand within the asphalt industry. Your success is our aim. Therefore we stand united.
BENNINGHOVEN GmbH & Co. KG D
Mülheim
D
Hilden
D
Wittlich
D
Berlin
Industriegebiet A
Graz
BG
Sofia
D-54486 Mülheim/Mosel CZ
Prag
F
Paris
GB
Leicester
HU
Tel: +49 (0)6534 - 18 90 Budapest
LT
Vilnius
PL
Warsaw
RO
Fax: +49 (0)6534 - 89 70 Sibiu
RUS
Moscow
S
Göteborg
n Publisher CommStrat Level 8, 574 St Kilda Rd. Melbourne 3004 PO Box 6137, St Kilda Rd Central 8008 Tel: (03) 8534 5000 Fax: (03) 9530 8911 Email: enquiries@commstrat.com.au Web: www.commstrat.com.au www.roadsonline.com.au www.roadjobs.com.au n EDITOR Rex Pannell Tel: (03) 8534 5006 Email: rex.pannell@commstrat.com.au n SALES & MARKETING National Manager Yuri Mamistvalov Tel: (03) 8534 5008 Email: yuri@commstrat.com.au n Art & Production Annette Epifanidis Tel: (03) 8534 5030 Email: annette@commstrat.com.au n SUBSCRIPTIONS Customer Service Ruth Spiegel Tel: (03) 8534 5009 Fax: (03) 9530 8911 Email: ruth.spiegel@commstrat.com.au n Subscription Rates Australia 1 year $70 2 years $130 3 years $195 n
UPCOMING FEATURES
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013
SPECIAL FeatureS INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA ISSUES CHALLENGE ON INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT
2
FOCUS ON ROAD FUNDING DEBATE
8
NSW AND SA ROAD BUDGET SPENDING
16
ROADS
is supported by
AustStab FeAtures includE: CEO’S REPORT
35
OCTOBER ISSUE
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
36
AAPA Asphalt Review (Conference Edition)
CEMENT STABILISED BASE LAYER FOR LIGHT TRAFFIC
37
SECOND AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE
40
Road Safety
CINEVEX PROMOTION
42
Road & Line Marking Loaders, Dozers & Graders
CIVIL WORKS
Road Maintenance Bridges
TUNNELLING CONTRACT FOR NORTH WEST LINK
Trenchless Technology
PERTH STADIUM PRECONSTRUCTION
Solid Waste Management
EAST WEST LINK REFERENCE DESIGN
22 23
24
COMPETITION FOR WEBB DOCK DEVELOPMENT COMMONWEALTH GAMES VILLAGE SHORTLIST
25 29
Feature Sections 15th AAPA International Flexible Pavements Conference 2013 The Australian Asphalt Pavement Association will conduct its International Flexible Pavement Conference in Brisbane, Qld in September 2013. The conference will attract 300 asset owners, consultants, engineers and contractors from around the world. If you would like to express interest in speaking, register for updates or enquire about sponsorship and exhibition please contact the AAPA Conference Convenor: Scott Matthews. Email: scott.matthews@commstrat.com.au or phone 03 8534 5004
www.aapaconference.com.au
NEW PRODUCTS
18
STABILISATION 44 WATER & PIPES
49
ROAD SAFETY
54
ASPHALT PAVING & COMPACTION
62
INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT SYSTEMS
64
Regular articles Major Projects
News Briefing
ROADS is supported by
12
ROADS
32 is supported by
FEATURE
Infrastructure Australia challenges Australia on commitment to infrastructure investment
A
ustralia as a nation and a community is reluctant to increase government debt to invest in new infrastructure and make the best use of existing infrastructure, even though its national debt levels are amongst the lowest of any developed country, according to Sir Rod Eddington, Chairman of Infrastructure Australia. Sir Rod used his Chairman’s message in the 2013 National Infrastructure Plan to question where Australia stood in regard to paying for its infrastructure. He contended that Australia baulked at raising taxes to pay for better infrastructure and services and was uncomfortable with the “user pays” concept as evidenced in opposition to the use of tolls to fund some
2
ROADS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013
roads or increases in utility charges to pay for capital investment and maintenance. There was also opposition to capital recycling to fund other infrastructure. Yet, Sir Rod said, there was concern about congestion, the health and security of water supplies, and the prospect of electricity “brown outs”. He said Australia could not afford to have a short-term focus on infrastructure. “We cannot continue to operate with a business as usual mentality delivering small, incremental changes or we will miss the opportunities presented to us as we enter the Asian century. “In doing so, there should be no place for those who resist change out of self-interest;
we should instead look to those who will lead Australia to greater prosperity.” Sir Rod argued that national challenges needed bold reforms. “We need to make changes in the way we approach infrastructure investment, from our government approval processes to identifying how we pay for infrastructure.” The National Infrastructure Plan is IA’s latest report to the Council of Australian Governments. Sir Rod said Infrastructure Australia’s aim in preparing the Plan was to provide governments and the community with a clear set of actions to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the growth of Asian economies over the next half century.
We’d like to keep in touch At BP Bitumen we’d like to keep in touch with you, to make sure you always have the latest information at your fingertips by sending you regular email updates and news including: • Tips and advice from our bitumen experts • Special marketing promotions • New product developments, technology and applications • New and updated reference materials • Details of conferences and events we attend
• White papers and presentations • Industry news • Changes to industry specifications • Interesting facts/figures about bituminous binders • Media coverage
Register your details online now Make sure you’re kept informed. It’s really easy to register your details online and will take just two minutes. Scan the code or go to: www.enteract.com.au/BPBitumenOffer
FREE GIFT
Download a free QR Reader from your smart phone’s app store.
Register before 30th September and we’ll send you a FREE stainless steel vacuum flask This double-walled stainless steel vacuum flask is designed to keep liquid hot or cold for hours, wherever you are! Please allow up to 21 days for delivery.
website: www.bpbitumen.com.au e-mail: bpbitumenaustralia@bp.com Technical Helpline: 1800 24 88 66 (FREECALL) BP Bitumen values and respects the privacy of all individuals and organisations and is committed to complying with the Federal Privacy Act 1988. Information gathered and held by BP Bitumen will not be disclosed to any third parties.
FEATURE
“We cannot continue to operate with a business as usual mentality delivering small, incremental changes or we will miss the opportunities presented to us as we enter the Asian century. – Sir Rod Eddington
The actions include: • establishing a single national infrastructure fund; • moving from grant funding of infrastructure to a system that encourages private investment; • selling or long-term leasing of government infrastructure assets and re-investing the proceeds in new infrastructure; • wider application of user pays funding arrangements, especially but not only in the freight sector, but on the proviso that users get a say in scoping new projects; and • improvements to project governance and procurement to reduce the cost of developing new infrastructure. If adopted and pursued with vigour, Sir Rod said, the reforms would ensure Australia secured the infrastructure it needed. “There are challenges in pursuing these reforms. The community is wary of change. Too often, governments have been reluctant to make the case for such change. “Failure to pursue these reforms will leave a poor legacy for our children and grandchildren.” The Infrastructure Australia Plan includes the latest update of its Priority List, which can be downloaded from www. infrastructureaustralia.gov.au. Seventy-nine proposals were submitted for inclusion on the 2013 Priority List – projects with an estimated cost of more than $80 billion. The submissions include new projects and updated submissions containing new material. More than 50 of the submissions (53) were for new projects and 34 were included on the priority list with an estimated value of $24 to $27 billion. Projects included in the Priority list were placed in four categories: Ready to proceed; Threshold; Real Potential; and Early Stage.
4
ROADS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013
Roads projects listed as ready to proceed include: Pacific Highway Corridor Upgrades ($6.4 Billion). The project is designed to complete some 300 kilometres of double lane, divided road in three key areas: from the F3 Freeway near Hexham to Port Macquarie; from Ballina to the Queensland border; and sections of road to the north and south of Coffs Harbour.
Victorian National Managed Motorways – Monash Freeway, High Street to Warrigal Road ($19.7 million) and Warrigal Road to Clyde Road ($137.1 million). The two projects involve upgrading the Monash Freeway to include variable speed limits and lane use management.
Road projects under the threshold category include: Gateway Motorway Upgrade ($1.3 Billion). The upgrade aims to improve road freight connectivity between Brisbane’s key northern industrial and logistics centres and the port precinct. It involves capacity upgrades to the northern 10 kilometre section of the Gateway Motorway by: • widening the motorway from four to six lanes between Nudgee and Deagon; • reconfigured Nudgee Interchange, including a new Nudgee Road Bridge over the Motorway; • interchange development at the Gateway Motorway/Deagon Deviation connection; and • a range of new and upgraded ramps and bridges.
Northern Connector ($1.1 Billion). The roads that Adelaide’s Northern Connector will join – Port Wakefield and the Northern Expressway – are part of the National Land Transport Network. The project is designed to help improve the efficiency of freight movements to and from the Port of Adelaide. It is proposed to construct the 15.6 kilometre six-lane (three lanes in each direction) Northern Connector Road in two stages: • Stage 1 south of Bolivar Road to meet congestion modelled from 2016; and • Stage 2 north of Bolivar Road to meet congestion modelled from 2021.
M80 Ring Road Upgrade ($1.05 Billion) The M80 services the Port of Melbourne with distribution centres. The objective of the project is to improve accessibility and movement on the freight route linking major industrial and multi-modal activity areas in the north and west of Melbourne. The proposal is to widen the remaining sections of the M80 to provide at least three lanes in each direction: • Princes Freeway to Western Highway (5 kilometres); • Sunshine Avenue to Calder Freeway (3.8 kilometres); and • Plenty Road to Greensborough Highway (4 kilometres).
Ipswich Motorway – Rocklea to Darra ($558 million). The project aims to improve real travel times and reliability for freight travelling on the Ipswich Motorway between Rocklea and Darra, and to support economic and urban growth between Brisbane and Ipswich. The proposal is for a suite of upgrades including: • widening to three lanes between Oxley Road and Suscatand Street;
John Montague National Account Manager Roadtec & Carlson 0419 965 077 jmontague@astecaustralia.com.au 1300 278 322 (1300 ASTEC AUS) P (+61) 07 3714 8800 F (+61) 07 3714 8899 www.astecaustralia.com.au enquiries@astecaustralia.com.au
FEATURE
“The government recognises the importance of getting the investment decisions right which is why we established Infrastructure Australia and continue to deliver reforms that complement our $60 billion Nation Building Program.” – Minister Anthony Albanese
• a northern service road across Oxley Creek; and • ramp rationalisation and smarter motorway treatments for the seven kilometre Rocklea to Darra section length.
Great Northern Highway – Muchea to Wubin ($361 million) The object of the project is to improve efficiency, reliability and the safety of the route between Perth and north west Western Australia. It consists of reconstruction and realignment of selected sections of the Great Northern Highway, upgrading intersections, widening the seal and constructing additional passing lanes.
Adelaide East-West Bus Corridor ($349 million) The project aims to improve the efficiency and service quality of existing bus services on the corridor serving Adelaide’s east, west and north east areas to increase public transport patronage. The proposal is for: • bus priority measures along existing road corridors; • bus priority infrastructure at intersections and • upgrades to eight stops/interchanges to improve amenity and ticketing efficiency.
NorthWest Coastal Highway – Minilya to Barradale ($217 million). The project aims to improve the efficiency and safety of freight and other vehicles on the highway by widening the sealed section of the highway and creating improved flood immunity for wide and heavy vehicles. It involves widening and strengthening the last section of narrow highway along the North West Coastal Highway from Minilya to Barradale (6.2 metres wide compared with 9 metres for similar freight routes). 6
ROADS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013
F3 Widening – Tuggerah to Doyalson ($200 million) The project aims to improve the productivity of the F3 Freeway by improving the surface condition and increasing the capacity of the road. The upgrade will involve a 10.5 kilometre section from Tuggerah to Doyalson consisting of pavement strengthening and widening from four to six lanes.
Leach Highway/High Street Upgrade ($100 million) The project is designed to reduce delays for freight vehicles and improve road capacity along a section of urban arterial road which forms part of the only designated road freight access to the Port of Fremantle. The proposal is to: • build about 1.5 kilometres of dual carriageway – a four-lane divided road with the capacity to expand to six lanes – High Street will be retained as a local access road; and • undertake major intersection re-configuration along Leach Highway in East Fremantle between Carrington Street and the Stirling Highway. Two of Australia’s most publicised infrastructure projects – Victoria’s East West Link and New South Wales’ West Connex – have been included in the categories of Real Potential and Early Stage respectively.
East West Link ($6-8 Billion) The objective of the project is to increase eastwest connectivity and alleviate congestion in Melbourne. It involves an 18 kilometre cross-city road, including tunnels, north of Melbourne’s central business district consisting of two components: • Eastern Component: from the Eastern Freeway to City Link, including a connection from City Link to the eastern side of the Port of Melbourne; and • Western Component: from the Port of Melbourne to the Western Ring Road.
WestConnex ($10-13 Billion) The project is designed to improve accessibility, speed, congestion and connectivity of roads linking Sydney’s international gateways and western Sydney. The main features are: • widening the M4 from Concord to Parramatta from two to three lanes in each direction to four lanes (9.2 kilometres); • extending the M4 from Strathfield to Taverners Hill (6.2 kilometres); • a tunnel from Taverners Hill to St Peters (5.3 kilometres); • a Sydney Airport Access Link from St Peters to the airport (4.6 kilometres); and • duplication of the M5 East through construction of two new two-lane tunnels (7.2 kilometres). Federal Infrastructure Minister, Anthony Albanese, welcomed the release of IA’s report – the fifth annual report to COAG. “This report marks the first five years of Infrastructure Australia and acknowledges the improvements to infrastructure planning and development that have occurred,” Mr Albanese said. He said as a result of this year’s Budget, all “ready to proceed” projects identified by Infrastructure Australia since its establishment in 2008 had received Federal funding commitments. “The government recognises the importance of getting the investment decisions right which is why we established Infrastructure Australia and continue to deliver reforms that complement our $60 billion Nation Building Program. “I congratulate Sir Rod Eddington, his fellow council members and the staff of Infrastructure Australia on continuing to drive lasting reforms to the way our nation plans, finances, builds and uses the infrastructure which makes people’s lives easier, our businesses more competitive and the Australian economy more productive.”
ABILITIES STAND OUT
SUPPORTING CUSTOMERS AROUND THE WORLD WITH FIT-FOR PURPOSE BITUMINOUS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Shell Bitumen helps keep Australians moving with leading products, technologies and supply capabilities to develop and maintain our nation’s roads. Shell Bitumen offers a range of products suitable for: ■ ■
Main and urban roads Race tracks
■ ■
Rural roads Airports
For further information: Phone: 13 16 18 Email: bitumen-au@shell.com
www.shell.com.au/bitumen
FEATURE
Roads Australia keeps focus on road funding debate
T
he challenging outlook for the engineering construction sector and the perennial question of how to finance and fund Australia’s road infrastructure backlog were top of mind among participants at this year’s Roads Australia National Road Summit. The two-day summit, held in Sydney at the end of May, attracted almost 150 senior road industry executives from around Australia. The summit was opened by NSW Roads Minister, Duncan Gay, who outlined his government’s program of key road projects. BIS Shrapnel Senior Manager, Infrastructure and Housing, Adrian Hart, painted a mixed picture for the construction sector. Mr Hart said the sector was currently at its growth peak, and could anticipate a 10 per cent decline over the next four years. In particular, engineering construction (which includes roads) could expect a 20 per cent decline nationally over that period. Mr Hart said most of the decline was attributable to the slowdown in the resources sector. However, he predicted an upswing in non-resources related engineering construction, particularly from 2015-16, but perhaps even earlier. NSW would be the driving force of the Australian economy through the next five years on the back of public infrastructure projects in the road, water and rail areas, he added. The outlook in construction for Queensland and WA was poor, with declines of 30 to 40 per cent expected. Mr Hart also stressed the significant maintenance workload that would need to be addressed over the next decade. This year’s Summit featured a session on transport reform, chaired by Transport Reform Network (TRN) Chair, Dennis Cliche.
8
ROADS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013
The TRN formed last year as a group of more than 50 private sector organisations committed to stepping up the level of public dialogue on transport financing and funding reform. The TRN is pushing for a much more informed and vigorous public debate on funding options, including user pays, as well as a commitment by all levels of government to review and reform the current financing and funding regimes. Visiting international road pricing expert, Jack Opiola, from US-based D’Artagnan Consulting, provided a hopeful outlook for the debate on road usage charging, pointing to recent positive developments in the US state of Oregon. Mr Opiola said the debate in the United States was being driven by growing concern over the decreasing real value of state and federal gas taxes, which have traditionally been hypothecated to road construction and maintenance. With no political will to raise gas taxes, revenues were not keeping pace with spending demands, he said – particularly with the growth of fuel efficient vehicles. The argument for mileage-based taxes in the US stems from the fact that these fuel efficient vehicles aren’t paying their way to use the asset. At the time of going to press, Oregon has just become the first US State to pass road usage charging legislation. This will create a voluntary program whereby 5,000 vehicle owners can opt to pay a mileage-based charge in lieu of gas tax. The Oregon legislative experiment is being watched closely by a number of other states, and Mr Opiola believes many will follow.
15TH INTERNATIONAL
FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS C O NF E R E N C E
22-25 September 2013 | Royal International Convention Centre | Brisbane | Australia
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
INTERNATIONAL LINKS
This significant Conference will feature eminent presenters from Australia and around
Speakers will be invited from international Asphalt Organisations, Research
the world, including invited key speakers. A balanced, relevant technical program,
Institutes, Road Agencies and Companies to ensure that the conference will
supplemented by a major supporting exhibition, will make this Conference the
truly provide an international perspective.
highlight of the 2013 flexible pavements calendar both in Australia and internationally. The Australian Asphalt Pavement Association presented its first International
The conference will also provide ample networking opportunities, including a social program, so that all delegates can mix and hear from their colleagues.
Technical Conference in Sydney, Australia, in 1971, and since then has conducted a conference fourteen times in total with either an International or National Flexible Pavement Conference being staged by AAPA every two years. In addition to the speaking streams, the conference will have a social program and a major exhibition of equipment and related products and services.
MORE INFORMATION For more information on the conference including program, venue and registration please visit our conference website www.aapaconference.com.au or contact the conference convenor.
CONFERENCE TOPICS
The conference website will be regularly updated with new information as the conference develops.
See website for accepted speakers
The conference focus is primarily on technical issues associated within the flexible pavements and industry. It is for all forms of flexible pavements
More Information on Speaking, Sponsorship & Exhibition
including for roads, airfields, paths, car-parks, industrial and port areas.
Contact Scott Matthews, BEng
Technical papers will address issues such as specifications, procedures
p +6 13 8534 5004 e scott.matthews@commstrat.com.au
Conference Convenor
and equipment. All facets of flexible pavements will be covered, including research, manufacture, construction, maintenance and test methods. In today’s world, environmental sustainability is a key issue and papers will address issues such as asphalt perpetual pavements, life cycle impact, warm mix asphalt, recycled asphalt and emulsions, and the environmental and the economic benefits of maintenance.
BOOK NOW:
As a guide, papers may be in the following key areas: • Delivering new age solutions
• Asphalt mix design
• Asphalt perpetual pavements
• Sprayed seal design/construction
• High modulus asphalt
• Binders
• Increased use of warm mix and RAP
• Life cycle costing
(Reclaimed Asphalt Pavements)
• Roads, paths and car-parks
• Quality assurance
• Airfield, industrial and port
• Specifications • Environmental aspects
Alternatively, please contact: Registration Manager t +61 3 8534 5050 e registration@commstrat.com.au
• Asset management
• Sustainability • Developments in thin surfacings
Online Registration is now open at www.aapaconference.com.au
Platinum Sponsor:
pavements and hard-stands • Pavement management and maintenance
The conference will also include a sessions for senior managers. This may address issues such as contracts, national harmonisation of health and safety laws, and other business related issues affecting the surfacing industry.
BOOK AT:
Silver Sponsor:
Bronze Sponsor:
www.aapaconference.com.au
Gold Sponsors:
FEATURE
Transurban CEO, Scott Charlton, also participated in the funding discussion, providing his perspective on the role of the private sector in delivering and managing road infrastructure. In particular, he challenged what he called the “myths” that surrounded toll roads and their operators – including that tolls were all about raising tax, that the PPP model was a failure, that it was dominated by off-shore investors, and that toll roads were unpopular with the general public. Ironically, Mr Charlton gave his presentation on the same day the NSW Government confirmed it had progressed Transurban’s unsolicited proposal for an F3 to M2 link to the next stage of assessment. Thiess Managing Director, Bruce Munro, provided an industry perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the road industry. Mr Munro said it was easy to be negative and critical about the achievements in delivering Australia’s transport infrastructure requirements. “There always seems so much more to be done, and we all want it finished yesterday,” he said. “But we must be realistic about what can be achieved. Australia is an enormous country with a relatively tiny population. This makes transport infrastructure, in particular, extremely expensive on a per capita basis. “We simply need to lower our expectations sometimes to ensure we get the best ‘bang for our buck’.” Mr Munro welcomed the increased national focus on coordinated infrastructure planning and prioritisation, as evidenced by the ongoing advisory role played by bodies like Infrastructure Australia. However, he pointed out that investment in infrastructure was still a long way from making a dent in the estimated $700 billion backlog. Bruce Munro Jack Opiola
“Australia is an enormous country with a relatively tiny population. This makes transport infrastructure, in particular, extremely expensive on a per capita basis. We simply need to lower our expectations sometimes to ensure we get the best ‘bang for our buck’.”
Faced with the realities of this backlog and the limited availability of government funding to address it, Mr Munro challenged the construction industry to find smarter solutions to minimise construction costs. “Innovation must start at the project planning stage, and we must ensure that the ability to innovate is not stifled at the planning and approval stage,” he said. “Often the contract terms by which we work, and the risk-averse culture which permeates the industry, hampers innovation and the speed by which technological advances in the industry are embraced. “Importantly, we must also apply innovation to our funding options. We must look at smarter ways to provide the finance that’s needed.” Mr Munro also called for a greater focus on sharing learnings across the industry, providing “whole-of-life” solutions for clients, and collaborating to reset the cost-base and change the risk profile of PPPs. 10
ROADS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013
This year’s summit also looked at changing technology for road users, and how this might impact on the road industry as a whole. Roads Australia Chief Executive, Ian Webb, delivered an entertaining presentation on the advent of the driverless car – but with a serious sting in the tail. “Google is investing millions and millions to develop a vehicle that can drive without a human at the controls,” he said. “The prototypes are already running on Californian freeways. And Google says it will be ready to commercialise the technology in five years. “So if I had a stake in the existing system - and most of us in this room do – I would be starting to hedge my bets,” he said. “I would be preparing for transition and moving my business to take advantage of the new opportunities that driverless technology may present. “For every service that will disappear, new ones will emerge. “Our road builders should think about all the new stuff they can build and our consultants and traffic designers should be right across all of the potential so that they can advise governments on what they need to do.” Other presenters at this year’s summit included Transport Workers Union National Secretary, Tony Sheldon; Transport for NSW GM – Traffic Management Centre, Phil Akers; Hyder Managing Director, Greg Steele; and SKM Technical Director from the UK, Prof Sam Luke. A panel of road agency heads - Peter Duncan from Roads and Maritime Services, Gary Liddle from VicRoads, Norm McIlfatrick from DIER, and Rod Hook from DPTI – also took part in a discussion on state road programs and industry issues.
Scott Charlton
Adelaide • Albany • Albury • Brisbane • Bunbury • Dandenong • Darwin • Geraldton • Hobart Kalgoorlie • Launceston • Mackay • Melbourne • Newcastle • Perth • Port Hedland • Sydney
volvo construction equipment www.cjdvolvo.com.au
1300 139 804
major projects
From dirt track to modern duplicated highway Holbrook community inspects Holbrook Bypass
After half a century of continuous construction and the investment of billions of dollars, a fully duplicated Hume Highway became a reality on 23 June. The nation building project was completed during the Prime Ministership of Julia Gillard, who marked the event with Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese, New South Wales Roads Minister, Duncan Gay, and the Holbrook community in southern NSW.
Partnering with road paving businesses Adding value through focus, expertise and innovation
Bitumen Polymer Modified Bitumen Bitumen Emulsions Polymer Modified Bitumen Emulsions Recycling Agents Rejuvinating Agents Joint & Crack Sealants Precoats Cutbacks Cold Mixes Dust Suppressants Laboratory Testing Services Research & Development Projects
Sydney & Melbourne: ph +61 2 9638 0150 Perth: ph +61 8 9431 7351 Brisbane: Bitumen Import Terminal ph: +61 7 3895 2183 Brisbane PMB/Emulsion plant ph: +61 7 3260 2622
www.samibitumen.com.au
12
ROADS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013
The MPs and the community inspected Holbrook’s newly built bypass, the final stage in the upgrade of the highway. The Bypass was due to open to traffic in July. Rebuilding the 808 kilometre Hume Highway was a significant engineering endeavour, one made challenging by the vast and varied landscape. As well as duplicating the entire road, the project also involved removing some 90 million cubic metres of earth, erecting 205 new bridges, building 68 new interchanges and planting millions of trees. And along with Holbrook, the highway has been re-routed around 49 towns. It is estimated that as many as 130,000 Australians, at some point, worked onsite transforming the Highway. For some, the duplication represented a life’s work. One of the workers involved in putting the finishing touches on the Holbrook Bypass first started working on the Hume in 1972. In practical terms, the upgrade has reduced travel times between Sydney and Melbourne by around three hours and made travel far safer. Along the NSW section of the highway, fatalities have declined from 71 in 1976 to four for 2013 (to late June). The MPs who marked the occasion said the highway was now “fit for purpose as one of Australia’s busiest transport routes”. They said it was now able to carry more goods with fewer delays, speeding up the movement of freight along the eastern seaboard and boosting national productivity. In addition to the 23 June Community Day, a new interactive website has been created to mark completion of the upgrade: www. rms.nsw.gov.au/humecelebration. As well as providing an insight into the history of the Hume, the Celebrating a Momentous Journey website gives people the opportunity to record their memories of the road. The MPs said such personal reflections and anecdotes, together with videos and photos dating back to as early as 1876, would help make the website a valuable resource for anyone interested in tracking the history of the highway from a dirt track to what it is today. The Highway closely follows the path first taken by European explorers Hamilton Hume and William Hovell during their successful 1824 expedition to find an alternate inland route from Sydney to Port Phillip, the site of modern day Melbourne. Work on its northern section between Picton and the Goulburn Plains begun in 1819 on the orders of Governor Lachlan Macquarie.
Duncan Gay, Anthony Albanese and Julia Gillard unveil bypass plaque
East West Link tender process launched The Victorian Government has called for Expressions Traffic congestion on of Interest to build what it describes as the largest Alexandra Parade infrastructure project in state’s history, Stage One of the East West Link. The project will improve traffic congestion and travel times, boost Victoria’s productivity and create 3,200 jobs during construction. Stage One is forecast to cost $6-$8 billion. Expressions of Interest will be evaluated based on six criteria; design, construction capability and experience; operations, maintenance capability and experience; stakeholder engagement; financing capacity and capability; commercial structure; and innovation. Roads Minister, Terry Mulder, said the call for Expressions of Interest issued on July 18 followed the release of the reference design for the East West Link. “While we have put this out to the community and industry to consider, we are also encouraging the private sector to come up with innovative solutions wherever possible to help reduce any impacts to the community and its surrounds,” Mr Mulder said. “We will be looking for excellence in urban design and sustainability, particularly on tunnelling solutions, to deliver the best possible outcomes for the project’s local communities.” Construction of the project is expected to commence in late 2014 with expected completion in 2019-20.
Treasurer, Gordon Rich-Phillips, said the government had received strong interest from some of the world’s largest construction and finance companies to deliver the project. “The government is excited about the level of interest from both local and international companies to deliver this much needed infrastructure project. “This is the largest infrastructure project of this type being offered for tender anywhere in the world this year. “The government has done its due diligence to ensure the East West Link will be a success for Victorians and the businesses that will partner with the government to deliver this project.” Mr Rich-Phillips said the government intended to deliver the East West Link project as an Availability Public Private Partnership (PPP), with the state initially retaining tolling and traffic risk. “An Availability PPP will secure strong competition for the construction, operation and financing of the project,” he said. “Importantly, this will ensure the construction industry is responsible for delivering the project on time and within budget. “The 2013-14 Victorian Budget has allowed for the state’s full contribution for the delivery of Stage One of the East West Link, including $294 million to commence procurement and to start early works.” Project proponents had six weeks to submit their Expressions of Interest, with the Linking Melbourne Authority expecting to go to the market with a Request for Tender in October, and awarding a contract in late 2014.
designs for movement
integrated powerful flexible Whether you want to do simple (or complex) turning path simulations, or design a car park, airport, roundabout, or light rail system, AutoTrack has got you covered. Now with superfast 3D ground interference contours and cross-sections.
AutoTrack - it’s simply the best! Comprehensive Australian and New Zealand vehicle libraries Supports AutoCAD 2013, MicroStation, PowerDraft, PowerCivil, BricsCAD, and stand-alone Test drive AutoTrack today Tel: (03) 9585 4866 Fax: (03) 9585 4864
Analytico advert for Roads & Civil Works May 2013 - corrected Tuesday, 23 April 2013 11:54:28 AM
www.analytico.com.au
ROADS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013
13
major projects
Key step to ending Sydney’s ‘missing link’ An Intergovernmental Agreement was signed on 20 June between the Federal and New South Wales Governments locking in potential funding contributions required to bring forward delivery of the so-called “missing link” between the F3 and M2. The governments are coming together with Transurban and Westlink M7 Shareholders to “create the opportunity to make this vital piece of nation building infrastructure a reality sooner rather later,” Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese said. “After being on the drawing board for more than five decades, we have taken another major step towards cutting travel times along the F3 and reducing congestion through Sydney’s northern suburbs,” Mr Albanese said. “As well as removing up to 7,000 trucks a day off Pennant Hills Road, this new link will allow motorists to bypass 22 sets of traffic lights and take as much as 15 minutes off the time it takes to get from the M2 Interchange to the start of the F3. “Without projects like this the cost of urban congestion in Sydney will more than double to almost $8 billion by the end of this decade and the city’s infrastructure will struggle to cope with the extra two million residents expected by 2036,” Minister Albanese said. The F3 to M2 Link will be a 7.7 kilometre dual two-lane road tunnel beneath Pennant Hills Road; one of Sydney’s busiest roads used daily by 71,000 vehicles. Both the Federal and NSW governments are contributing $405 million to the project, with the balance of the funding to come from the private sector.
New South Wales Roads and Ports Minister, Duncan Gay, said the multi-billion dollar project was at the third and final stage of the unsolicited proposal process, with negotiations around a final binding offer underway and a final decision on the project expected by mid-2014. “RMS will now commence community consultations, publish an environmental impact statement and obtain the required environmental and planning approvals,” said Mr Gay. “We will continue to work closely with the private sector to progress the project and deliver a continuous motorway between western and south western Sydney, as well as the Central Coast and Hunter regions. “This new road will go a long way to reducing congestion on the city’s roads and speeding up the movement of freight across the state.” The global technical consultancy, AECOM, said the funding model agreed between the NSW and Federal Governments and the private sector for the link could serve as a model for future infrastructure delivery in other states. AECOM’s Chief Executive, Australia New Zealand – Michael Batchelor – said following the governments’ agreement to each contribute $405 million in funding, with the
private sector to fund the difference, the missing link in Sydney’s motorway network was progressing to the next stage, promising reduced congestion and travel times for commuters. Mr Batchelor welcomed the F3-M2 Link project as a new financing and risk sharing model for the delivery of major road infrastructure projects in NSW. “More collaboration is key to securing infrastructure funding and ensuring the goahead for projects like the F3-M2 Link. AECOM has been confirmed as Transurban’s Technical Advisor on the project. As well as providing environmental approvals and preliminary geotechnical investigations, it will complete reference design and performance specifications for the calling of design and construct tenders by early October 2013. Infrastructure Partnership Australia Chief Executive, Brendan Lyon, said the move to issue construction tenders for the project sets a benchmark for smart thinking and cooperation between Federal and State Governments, and the private sector. “By being smarter about options, the NSW and Federal Governments have leveraged a relatively modest investment to deliver a multi-billion dollar motorway, with private investors filling the gap,” he said.
Bulahdelah Bypass a reality The opening of the long-awaited Bulahdelah Bypass on the Pacific Highway took place in late June. While the upgrade started carrying traffic on June 27, northbound traffic was temporarily diverted so that noise barriers, surfacing and landscaping could be completed.The upgrade was due to open permanently in late July. Completion of the 8.6 kilometre bypass means the people of Bulahdelah will no 14
ROADS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013
longer be divided by a highway with truck and car traffic passing through the middle of the town. From Hexham to Port Macquarie, the Pacific Highway is two lanes in each direction, and the major infrastructure project is 56 per cent of the way towards complete duplication of the motorway. The overall Bulahdelah upgrade included construction of 12 bridges, including twin
245 metre bridges over the Myall River, and a steel truss bridge providing access to the significant Alum Mountain Park. The project involved the removal of about 1.1 million cubic metres of material. Construction of the bypass is part of the ongoing upgrade and full duplication of the Pacific Highway, a nation building project being jointly funded by the Federal ($7.9 billion) and NSW ($2.5 billion) Governments.
Extra lane opens to improve M80 traffic flow A third lane is operating in each direction of Melbourne’s M80 Ring Road between Sunshine Avenue and Ballarat Road. The extra lane will reduce congestion by improving the flow of traffic for the 140,000 daily users. When the M80 upgrade is completed, there will be four lanes in each direction, meaning greater safety and more consistent travel times on one of Melbourne’s key freeways. In other work, installation of the Freeway Management System is underway, including overhead electronic lane signs, variable speed limit signs, CCTV cameras and an upgrade to communications networks and central control systems. The new infrastructure will help the management of traffic flow, clearing crashes quickly and providing real-time traffic updates to drivers. These works between the Western Highway and Sunshine Avenue will be completed later this year. The $2.25 billion M80 Ring Road upgrade is jointly funded by the Federal ($1.39 billion) and Victorian Governments, and will improve safety and reduce congestion along 38 kilometres from Laverton North to Greensborough.
More safety works to upgrade Bruce Highway Work is underway in Queensland to realign a 6.7 kilometre stretch of the Bruce Highway between Cabbage Tree Creek and Carmans Road. The $100 million project – which also includes the Back Creek Range upgrade – is scheduled to be completed late in 2014. Traffic volumes on the Bruce Highway continue to grow and the work will improve safety for the more than 3,500 vehicles that currently travel this section of highway each day. Nearly 30 per cent of the traffic comprises heavy vehicles. Alignment of the section of highway will remove tight curves and increase sight distances for motorists, making it easier to see other vehicles. An overtaking lane will be built for each direction of traffic, and two heavy vehicle rest stops will be constructed to cater for north and southbound motorists. The Bruce Highway and Monduran Road intersection will also be upgraded alongside other minor upgrades which will improve access to private properties along the highway. Meanwhile, work is progressing on flattening and realigning a 3.7 kilometre stretch of the highway further north across Back Creek Range. The project will improve the vertical and horizontal alignment along this stretch and will bypass the section locally referred to as the “Big Dipper”, with work expected to be completed by mid-2014. Last year, crews began working on a $20 million Federally funded project to improve a 1.6 kilometre section of the highway on the southern approach to Gin Gin. ROADS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013
15