The first major milestone was reached on the Puhinui Station Upgrade recently with the successful deconstruction of the central station ramp during a rail closure recently. The joint venture between McConnell Dowell and Built Environs has developed an early works strategy for the Puhinui Train Station Upgrade project with safety at the core of the construction. This is imperative as a large portion of work needs to be carried out over the live tracks and around the electrified lines in the rail corridor.
All together 350 tonnes of concrete were also removed during the controlled demolition stage which was finished in mid-October 2019.
The first requirement for this stage of the work was to support the three footbridge ramps that lead to the overbridge and train station. Scaffolding was erected to support these segments before each were cut using a wire saw and carefully removed over the tracks during a ‘Rail Block of Lines’ or track closure.
The project team continue to remove all the existing platform assets to clear the way for the next stage of the construction and have begun piling the station’s foundations.
A 50-tonne drilling rig is installing 32 bored piles, some over 30m deep, to form the foundation for 23 pile caps to support the station structure.
The next milestone for the team is the installation of a protection shield over the track. The shield is an innovative new methodology to maintain safe access and egress for staff in and out of the rail corridor, allowing allow work to continue safely without delay or disruption to rail operations.
For more information about the Puhinui Station Interchange please visit: https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/airport-to-botany-rapid-transit/puhinui-station-interchange/ or https://www.mcconnelldowell.com/news/bringing-together-world-class-expertise-for-the-puhinui-interchange?highlight=WyJwdWhpbnVpIl0
The McConnell Dowell Decmil Joint Venture has been awarded the contract to design and construct the Mordialloc Freeway in Melbourne’s south east.
The 9-kilometre Freeway will link the Mornington Peninsula Freeway at Springvale Road in Aspendale Gardens to the Dingley Bypass in Dingley Village, creating a continuous freeway from Frankston To Clayton.
With more than 75,000 motorists predicted to use this route daily by 2031, the Freeway will be vital to ease congestion and improve safety by removing 13,000 trucks from local roads.
As part of the project, bridges will be built over Springvale, Governor, Lower Dandenong and Centre Dandenong Roads, along with new freeway entry and exit ramps.
A bridge will also be built over Old Dandenong Road to keep it open for Dingley Village residents, and a twin bridge will be built over sensitive wetlands to ensure rainfall and natural light reaches vegetation below.
A new shared walking and cycling path will also be constructed along the entire length of the Mordialloc Freeway, to ensure safe and reliable journeys for members of the public enjoying more active forms of transport.
Motorists using the Mordialloc Freeway can expect quicker and safer and journeys, with north and southbound traffic separated and road safety barriers installed along the inside and outside of each carriageway.
McConnell Dowell is pleased to be partnering with Decmil to deliver this unique and vital part of Melbourne’s road infrastructure, said Jim Frith, Managing Director of McConnell Dowell Australia. “We have a strong team in place to deliver a complex design and construction program, with innovative solutions to building in a sensitive environment.”
Construction of the Mordialloc Freeway will create 400 jobs, which will include 10% of total labour hours allocated to training apprentices, trainees and cadets, building much needed skills within the industry.
Decmil Managing Director, Scott Criddle said, “Decmil is very pleased to be partnering McConnell Dowell and Major Road Projects Victoria on another largescale transport infrastructure project. Our project team working on the early works package will now continue into the main works package to progress the project and delivery programme”.The Mordialloc Freeway has been funded by the Victorian Government and is being delivered by Major Road Projects Victoria. It is due to be completed by late 2021.
In addition, the Joint Venture is committed to sourcing at least 96% of material and employment locally, benefiting the local community and broader economy.
McConnell Dowell is pleased to announce that Westland Milk Products has awarded McConnell Dowell the contract for the design and construction of the Westland Milk Ocean Outfall (Package 2) at Hokitika on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island.
The works consist of;
- 800 m new trenchless pipeline using the Direct Pipe® system installing a 1.2m diameter steel pipe as the carrier pipe.
- A 500NB HDPE product pipe.
- A diffuser structure with a twin diffuser manifold.
- Installation of the onshore de-aeration chamber.
The offshore pipeline is part of the overall scheme to re-direct the WMP waste flows from discharging into the Hokitika River to a more acceptable offshore location.
This project continues to build on McConnell Dowell’s extensive track record in the construction of major marine outfall pipelines in New Zealand. Our solution is to use trenchless tunnelling technology to minimise the risk of construction under the seabed with relatively unknown ground conditions, leveraging our experience from the recently completed Army Bay Outfall Pipeline where we successfully made use of the Direct Pipe® system.
McConnell Dowell Managing Director for New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, Fraser Wyllie says that “McConnell Dowell has a strong track record of delivering award-winning marine projects and particularly ocean outfalls in New Zealand, which have greatly contributed to improving water quality in our harbours and waterways. We look forward to doing this once again in the beautiful West Coast town of Hokitika.”
Construction will commence in January 2020, and completion is scheduled for January 2021.
To read more about the project click here
McConnell Dowell is pleased to announce the award of the Old Māngere Bridge Replacement project by the New Zealand Transport Agency.
The project includes the demolition and complete removal of the 250 m long Old Māngere Bridge that was originally opened in 1915 and the construction of a new shared walking and cycling bridge between the ends of the existing causeway. The new 300 m long bridge features a central 60 m span in structural steel together with nine approach spans in reinforced concrete.
The replacement bridge will provide up to 6.5 m of clearance for vessels to pass underneath and will reinstate a walking and cycling link between the communities of Onehunga and Māngere Bridge, which has been restricted since the old bridge closed in late 2018. The new bridge will provide key recreational space for people to sit and enjoy the views of the surrounding landscape or those who enjoy fishing in the Manukau Harbour.
McConnell Dowell Managing Director for New Zealand and Pacific, Fraser Wyllie welcomes the announcement, saying
“McConnell Dowell has a strong track record of delivering iconic and multi-award-winning bridges such as the Waitaki River Bridges, Lower Hatea River Crossing, SH1 Russley Road’s Memorial Road Bridge, and Kawarau Falls Bridge.
We look forward to working closely with the New Zealand Transport Agency to deliver the communities of Māngere Bridge and Onehunga an iconic bridge.”
McConnell Dowell is pleased to announce the internal appointment of Thomas Dockray as Managing Director, South East Asia.
Tom joined the McConnell Dowell Group in 2017 as the Executive General Manager, New Business & Strategy. He was responsible for activities covering New Business management across the Group and the implementation and execution of the Group’s Growth Strategy.
Tom brings a strong understanding of both the McConnell Dowell Group and South East Asia strategies to the role. He has an exceptional focus on winning work, and a deep operational understanding drawn from many years’ experience working in the region for Leighton Asia and Clough.
Announcing the appointment, which commences immediately, CEO Scott Cummins said Tom is an outstanding choice to lead the South East Asia Business Unit.
“I know the South East Asia team are looking forward to being led by someone with a strong track record in team building, problem solving and customer excellence.
“McConnell Dowell will be well represented in the region and the opportunities that will be unlocked through Tom’s leadership present an exciting future,” Mr Cummins said.
Reflecting on his appointment, Tom said, “I am very excited to have the opportunity to lead McConnell Dowell in South East Asia through the next stage of development and growth.
“I look forward to working with a diverse team and supporting all South East Asia staff to realise their full potential.”
Tom will remain a member of the Group’s Executive Committee and will be based in our Regional Head office in Singapore.
