Thai Oil Public Limited Company has awarded McConnell Dowell the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for the New Bang Phra Raw Water Line Project Pump Station Package in Thailand.

The project is located at Bang Phra Reservoir, Chonburi located approximately 16 km from the Thai Oil Public Company Limited (TOP) Refinery in Sriracha, where our McConnell Dowell team in Thailand successfully completed the construction of 4 km 36” HDPE Pipeline last year as part of the IDEA Project.

The project is linked to the overall Clean Fuel Project at Thai Oil’s Sriracha Refinery which requires an increase in raw water supply. The new Pump Station and Raw Water Pipeline will provide over 4,000m3/h of raw water and will replace the existing system.

Managing Director South East Asia Tom Dockray said he is proud of the way the team has lived the Group’s Values while securing this contract;

“This contract with Thai Oil builds on the relationship that developed through the IDEA Project. Through early engagement with the team we were able to understand the key drivers for the project and provide a technically robust and efficient solution.

The multidisciplinary nature of project has allowed McConnell Dowell to combine the Group’s global experience with its knowledge of the local region. The marine and civil works associated with the pier and cofferdam is also an opportunity for McConnell Dowell to further build the in-country expertise and capabilities.”

The works have commenced on site and are scheduled to be completed at the end of 2021.

McConnell Dowell is pleased to announce that a McConnell Dowell and Built Environs joint venture has been awarded the Puhinui Station Interchange Main Works Contract by Auckland Transport.  

Having been awarded the early works for the two-stage project in 2019, the joint venture has already completed the demolition of the existing station and platform access and are constructing foundations for the new multi-modal interchange. 

The main works, and the second stage of the project will include: 

• Constructing a high-quality fit out station building and a new platform canopy. 
• An elevated concourse with stairs, lifts and escalators. 
• Sheltered bus interchange area and kiss and ride parking.  
• Ticket gate line together with staff and retail facilities. 

Auckland Transport’s Portfolio Delivery Director (Projects) David Nelson has praised the joint venture’s approach. Mr Nelson says, “It’s great to see this key strategic project moving forward in these challenging times. McConnell Dowell and Built Environs have taken a proactive, partnering approach to delivering the Puhinui Station Interchange early works programme and we’re pleased to announce the award of the remaining construction contract scope. Aucklanders’ can look forward to enjoying a high-quality, accessible and beautifully designed facility opening in 2021.” 

  McConnell Dowell CEO Scott Cummins welcomed the main works award saying, “The main works from the Puhinui Station Interchange is further opportunity for the internal collaboration between McConnell Dowell and Built Environs to demonstrate how the diverse parts of our business with capabilities in infrastructure, design and construction can work together to deliver a safe, innovative and sustainable transport network asset.” 

 McConnell Dowell Managing Director for New Zealand and Pacific Islands, Fraser Wyllie also welcomed the contract saying, “given the importance to stimulate New Zealand’s economy following COVID-19, I am pleased that the Puhinui Station Interchange project will continue to contribute to New Zealand’s financial recovery and provide sustainable employment opportunities in the community.” 

The Puhinui Station Interchange is a key component of the Southwest Gateway, a programme aimed at enhancing transport connectivity between the region’s central business district and Auckland International Airport; including south and east Auckland. It is also a catalyst for wider bus and rail connections to enable more sustainable transport modes. The station is set to open to the public in second quarter 2021. 

To view recent footage from the project click

McConnell Dowell is proud to share that the St Marys Bay project team in Auckland reached a major milestone with three sections of the tunnel boring machine (TBM), ‘Hinehōaka’, being carefully lowered into the Pt Erin shaft.  

A competition would normally be run amongst local school children to come up with a name for a new TBM, though due to Covid-19 the project team and Auckland Council Healthy Waters employees were challenged to submit their ideas. One of the more creative and poignant submissions, Hinehōaka, was chosen. Hinehōaka, the Māori deity of sandstone reflects the cliffs around Pt Erin and St Marys Bay which are primarily made from sandstone. 

Hinehōaka is now positioned on a steel cradle where the new tunnel will begin inside the Pt Erin shaft. Over the next few weeks the team will connect the hydraulics, perform surveys, set up the guidance system and test the TBM before she begins tunnelling in early July. Hinehōaka will create a new 2km long pipeline for the St Marys Bay Area Water Quality Improvement project in three tunnelling sections or drives.

The stormwater storage pipeline will meet an increasing demand on the sewer system as Auckland’s population grows. It will also significantly reduce combined wastewater and stormwater discharges and by improving water quality, will make local beaches safer for people and wildlife. 

The scope of works includes:  

• Building a new 2km long, 1.8m diameter stormwater storage pipeline.  
• Constructing three shafts at Pt Erin, St Marys Road Park and the corner of London and New streets. 
• Performing three tunnelling drives to connect the shafts and create a tunnel out to the outfall location in the Waitemata Harbour. 
• Assembling a 468m long high-density polyethylene (HDPE) marine outfall assembled in Kaiaua, Coromandel then towed 90km to Auckland.  
• Building a new pumping and screening station and odour control unit in the Pt Erin Park shaft.
• Constructing a new weir structure and odour control unit  in the St Marys Road Park.  

Construction began in January 2020 and is scheduled for completion in mid-2021.

McConnell Dowell is pleased to announce the award of a sub contract to construct a new outer wharf structure at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin. 

 The project involves the construction of a new 250m long wharf and two approach jetties. Once completed, the facility will provide additional berthing and support services for Royal Australian Navy vessels. McConnell Dowell’s project scope is part of a broader upgrade currently underway at HMAS Coonawarra being undertaken by Laing O’Rourke Australia Construction as part of the Larrakeyah Defence Precinct Redevelopment Program (LDPRP).

In announcing the award, McConnell Dowell’s Australian Managing Director Jim Frith said the company is pleased to be using our industry leading marine construction expertise to build new and improved berthing capacity for our Navy at this base.

“Having constructed numerous marine facilities throughout northern Queensland and Western Australia for Australia’s leading mining companies and being currently involved in the upgrade of ADF facilities in the Pacific, it is great to be bringing this experience and know-how to the top end to support our defence forces in the Northern Territory.” Jim said.

Works have commenced with McConnell Dowell’s scope scheduled for completion in the second half of 2022. Subsequent associated wharf services and infrastructure packages will be tendered separately and are scheduled for completion by mid-2023.