“This crossing loop will help to deliver more reliable services for passengers on the Ballarat line by enabling trains to make up time from any unexpected delays,” Ms Allan said.
Reflecting on the project's completion, McConnell Dowell's General Manager for Rail, Malcolm Tinkler, said this new rail infrastructure makes a positive contribution to Victoria's regional transport network and McConnell Dowell fully supports the State Government's rail improvement and enhancement program.
Pictured from left Moorabool shire mayor Allan Comrie, Buninyong MP Geoff Howard, Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan and Public Transport Victoria's Glenn Abercrombie.
Together with JV partner Hawkins, McConnell Dowell will be responsible for installation of a stormwater diversion tunnel by pipejacking, strengthening a part of an existing Sewer Main, and construction of a 350m cut and cover tunnel – all within the Auckland CBD.
The project will be particularly interesting due to its location on one of the busiest streets in the CBD of New Zealand’s business city. It involves moving numerous services, maintaining traffic flow, meeting extremely strict health and safety conditions, numerous consents aiming to minimise disruption for businesses and residents, and extensive liaison with a wide range of stakeholders.
More than 100 years in the making, the City Rail Link will connect Auckland's existing rail infrastructure to double the speed and capacity of the rail network and allow for future expansion to the North Shore.
It will be built in two 3.4km twin tunnels up to 42m below the city centre, and when completed, will extend the existing rail line underground through Britomart to Albert, Vincent and Pitt Sts, and then cross beneath Karangahape Rd and the Central Motorway Junction to Symonds St before joining the western line at Eden Terrace. Two new stations near Aotea Square and Karangahape Road, and a redeveloped station at Mount Eden, will also be completed.
Benefits are expected to include $1.30 of benefit for every $1 spent, halved travel times for many commuters, and contribution to the transformation of Auckland into a truly international city.
Find out more about the CRL project at https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/city-rail-link/
The first train tracks on the new crossing loop at Rowsley were laid last week by the McConnell Dowell team.
“It’s great to see the first tracks laid on this critical project, which will improve the reliability of Ballarat line services.” Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
The laying of tracks and sleepers on the new crossing loop comes weeks after the Andrews Labor Government announced further train service restorations and added yet another carriage to Ballarat line services.
The project will also upgrade the rail crossing at Rowsley Station Road. Boom gates will be installed, which will bolster the existing flashing lights, making it safer for motorists, passengers and the local community.
Img: Track construction
Img: Mainline track works during night occupations.
His passion for helping his colleagues work safely and go ‘Home Without Harm’ has developed over 32 years working in the construction industry across a wide range of disciplines from general construction, through electrical and mechanical installations and cranes, to civil roading and infrastructure tunnelling. He has completed a number of Safety-related courses, including the National Certificate in First Line Management (Level 3), an adult teaching course, Construction Management with Unitec Auckland, Height Safety Training and other site related courses.
He says his interest in Safety has evolved over the past 10 years, as he has gained experience and realised that “we could make it better just with a little thought and planning”.
“McConnell Dowell’s goal of “Home without harm” should be the goal of all companies who have the welfare of their most valuable assets in mind - the people,” Tiny says.
This scholarship offers further opportunity to develop his knowledge by fully funding the course and examination fees associated with an International Certificate from the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH), as well as peer mentoring and work experience.
The NZ Transport Agency Zero Harm Scholarships are open to those working in the roading construction industry, and aim to help improve workplace health and safety. To be eligible candidates must show a demonstrable interest and aptitude for health and safety and be a high performer in their current organisation, showing potential for development into a future safety leader.
“The calibre of scholarship applicants was exceptionally high”, said Martin McMullan, the Transport Agency’s Zero Harm Manager.
“We now have four dedicated professionals from New Zealand that have signed up to building a zero harm culture within our industry so that everyone can go home safe and healthy every day.”
McConnell Dowell publish ‘Construction for a resilient city’.
McConnell Dowell’s Group Environmental Managers, Nicole Rogers has written an article that has featured in the Planning Institute of Australia's publication, New Planner.
‘Construction is traditionally seen as the ‘end of the pipeline’ in delivering the physical infrastructure that makes and supports our cities. Construction is the start of bringing planning to fruition and, as a result, constructors have a great responsibility in bringing those plans to life.’
Click here to view the full article.
