Projects 2 - ISCouncil
Close

Archives: Projects

Walkerston Bypass

Project Description:

The Walkerston Bypass will deliver a new 2-lane rural highway to connect Peak Downs Highway west of Walkerston to the Mackay Ring Road near Paget.

The new Walkerston Bypass will become the designated heavy vehicle route for B-double and other multi-combination vehicles, including A-double road

The project is being delivered as a Construct Only project for the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland Government. The Detailed Design phase commenced in 2019 with AECOM as the design consultant and was completed in 2021 before proceeding into the construction phase. The project is currently in construction with Fulton Hogan as the head contractor.

Rating Highlights:

The project overcame many challenges associated with delivering an IS Rating for a rural greenfield project, ultimately achieving an IS v1.2 Design Rating of Excellent. Rating highlights included a 53 per cent reduction in material lifecycle impacts in the design against the IS Base Case, a new operational energy modelling methodology for grid emissions, and a market transformation innovation for the establishment of a mobile plant-mixed foamed bitumen plant

Website

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/walkerston-bypass

 

City Rail Link, Contract 3: Stations and Tunnels

Project Description:

The $5.5 billion City Rail Link (CRL) will provide a world-class rail service for Auckland that will have profound and long-lasting benefits for the city. The gains from building a railway tunnel and stations below central Tāmaki Makaurau are immense. Linking the existing dead-end Waitematā Station in downtown Auckland with the Western Line 3.45 kilometres away at Maungawhau and building two new train stations at Te Waihorotiu and Karanga-a-Hape will make the city’s electrified rail network more efficient and catching a train a more attractive and sustainable travel option. Importantly, providing a world standard rail network will reduce Auckland’s reliance on cars.  

The project has twin running tunnels, two underground stations and work to significantly upgrade two existing stations. It will at least double the capacity of the city’s metro rail network and reduce travel times. This rating covers the majority of the overall CRL project including: 

1) The design and construction of the two new underground stations (Te Waihorotiu and Karanga-a-Hape) and the significant upgrade of the existing Maungawhau station, including all station systems. 

2) Bored tunnels from Te Waihorotiu to Maungawhau as well as mined and cut and cover tunnels.  

3) Connection to the existing North Auckland Line in cut-and-cover tunnels and open trenches. 

Rating Highlights:

Energy and Carbon

  • Maximising the use of grid electricity during construction to achieve circa 80% reductions compared to diesel generators. 
  • Using efficient construction machinery such as telescopic excavators for deep excavations, a “loco-tractor” rather than a diesel locomotive for rail systems works and electric tower cranes rather than diesel crawler cranes. 
  • Specifying a “DALI” lighting control system for the operational stations with sensors that adjust the lights to achieve the exact light level required. This means there is no over-lighting, with automatic adjustments made to compensate for the age of the LED bulbs (which reduce their light output throughout their life) and any daylight or feature lighting that enters the stations. This reduces the lighting energy requirement by 38% and reduces the stations’ operational energy footprint by 7.4%. 

Materials

  • An 18% reduction in the footprint of the concrete used through replacement of cement with fly-ash. This is equivalent to eliminating over 7,000 truckloads of concrete from the Project. 
  • Redesigning the Karanga-a-Hape underground station to remove a central adit, reducing mined tunnelling and associated concrete and steel by 11%. 
  • Reducing the length of the mined tunnels at Maungawhau by 45%, and reducing their width, to minimise use of carbon-intensive shotcrete and reinforcing steel and maximise the use of lower-carbon bored and cut-and-cover tunnels. 

Leaving a lasting legacy

The Project is taking a three-pronged approach to delivering positive social outcomes for people who are marginalised in the workforce, with a focus on Mana Whenua, Māori, Pasifika, and youth by: 

  • Implementing a 16-week paid internship for Māori and Pasifika rangatahi (youth) entering the workforce that provides employment, training and wrap-around support. 
  • Running a career development, mentoring and pastoral care programme that leads to confident, capable and generous people who have improved career pathways. 

Creating supply chain opportunities for Māori and Pasifika businesses, Social Enterprises and Socially Innovative Businesses. 

 

 

CRL Ltd and Link Alliance implemented a 16-week paid internship for rangatahi (youth), including training and wrap-around support, career development, mentoring and pastoral care programme to create confident, capable people with improved career pathways. They also created supply chain opportunities for Māori and Pasifika businesses, social enterprises and socially innovative businesses.

Sweeney says it has been a privilege to partner with Mana Whenua on many initiatives and to witness the positive and enduring outcomes from this good work.

“It is particularly pleasing to see that for the first time the ISC has incorporated cultural values into its Infrastructure Sustainability technical manual and is now sharing it across Australasia and with its partners around the world,” Dr Sweeney says.

“This is a direct result of our world-first innovation, in partnership with the Mana Whenua Forum, to create a manual, Mahi Rauora Aratohu, to incorporate mana whenua cultural values to guide the project and against which its outcomes could be assessed,” he says.

ISC chief executive Ainsley Simpson says: “The partnership and development of the Mahi Rauora Aratahu manual has not only delivered great outcomes for the CRL project and the people of Tāmaki Makaurau, but have inspired the further development of the IS Rating Scheme related to Indigenous People of the Land.

“At the Council, we have taken significant steps in our latest Technical Manual update to recognise the importance of culture, connection and partnership and shared the CRL experience and action with the infrastructure sector across Australasia and with our international partners.”

Mana Whenua Forum member Edith Tuhimata says: “Te ao Māori has sustainability at its very core and we have a great responsibility to future generations for the way we conduct our businesses and the impacts that has on the environment and the people, the wellbeing of the whenua and he tangata.

“Mana Whenua bring an holistic approach to the CRL project to ensure whakapapa links are acknowledged and the best practical environmental, sustainable, social and cultural outcomes are achieved,” she says.

Dr Sweeney says it has been an honour to ensure te ao Maori values drive our work in building New Zealand’s biggest transport infrastructure project.

 

Canberra Light Rail

Overview

The first stage of a new light rail network in Australia’s Capital connecting Gungahlin and the City, consisting of 12km of light rail track, 13 stops, light rail vehicles, and a depot to be operated and maintained by Canberra Metro for 20 years.

Rating Highlights

  • Energy: Development of an energy strategy that achieved a 30% reduction in construction emissions. Any residual emissions during the construction phase were offset to achieve zero net carbon emissions across Scope 1 and 2 emissions for construction.
    To minimise operational emissions, initiatives were implemented including installation of solar panels on the Mitchell depot roof, regenerative braking capabilities and energy efficient driver training. These initiatives supported the ACT Government reaching its Renewable Energy Target of 100% in 2020 and the offsetting of any residual emissions will ensure the operation of the Light Rail also achieves zero net carbon emissions across Scope 1 and 2 emissions.

 

  • Climate change A bespoke climate model was created using NARCliM and a draft Engineers Australia paper to undertake a climate change risk assessment. This informed the design and adaptation measures were incorporated to mitigate the impacts and improve the system’s resilience to extreme climatic events. The risk assessment has been adopted and will be managed, updated, and maintained by the operator.

 

  • Community, Health and Wellbeing: It was identified that Local industry involvement, community education and skill development were priority issues within the local Canberra community, so the Project implemented measures to positively contribute to these issues including;
    • A partnership with Canberra Business Chamber for the development of small local Canberra businesses was implemented to aide in the engagement of local businesses.
    • A Rail Safety awareness campaign; Rail Ready was rolled out to schools, sporting venues and shopping centres along the alignment to increase rail safety awareness. Canberra Metro staff also got involved in career development sessions, volunteered at the annual ACT Engineering Games and provided guidance to architecture students tasked with redesigning one of the stops at a local school.
    • The project employed 20 Apprentices and trainees, 13 Graduates, 37 undergraduate students from Canberra universities as part of the project.

 

  • Heritage: According to the architect of Canberra; Sir Walter Burley Griffin back in 1912, the city was planned with main avenues for rapid transport and would be lined with social and economic activity. The original documents and drawings done by Griffin clearly show a proposed railway/tramway to service the city centre. The Project was able to enhance Canberra’s heritage by delivering on Sir Griffin’s original plan more than 100 years after its creation.

 

  • Stakeholder Participation: A Communications & Engagement Strategy was implemented on the Canberra Light Rail Project to support stakeholder participation in the Project, including weekly Communication Working Groups, and quarterly Community and Business Forums. The Project also had a comprehensive process for undertaking out of hours works that allowed for minimal disruption to the surrounding public.

 

  • Urban and Landscape Design: The Project undertook significant efforts in the urban and landscape design space including
    • Reusing all topsoil
    • Installing approximately 970,000 drought resistant native plants
    • The installation of over 1,000 trees all of which were native roughly 200 more than what was in the project area previously
    • The inclusion of a dedicated bike rack and bike area on the Light Rail Vehicles to support the ACT Low Emission Vehicle Strategy and Active Transport principles.
    • Significant internal and external design reviews to ensure all design criteria, including sustainability and people and place principles were applied.

 

  • Innovation: Canberra Light Rail implemented the following innovations which all delivered an economic, social or environmental benefit to the project and greater Canberra area.
    • Reducing water usage with the application of a polymer as a soil bonding agent and dust suppression has been recognised as an Australian first.
    • Design and construction of an equestrian horse crossing across light rail tracks with a waiting area for the horse and rider, mounting blocks, and a dedicated extended crossing phase so the horse and rider can cross the intersection in one pass. This was recognised as an Australian first.

Through a collaborative approach with WorkSafe, an innovative hydro-vaccing protocol was developed to allow high pressure water to be applied to known and unknown asbestos assets/debris throughout the Project alignment with minimal risk to the workers and public. This was recognised as an Australian first.

Website Links

To find out more information about the project, visit the Transport Canberra website or the  Canberra Metro webiste 

Parkdale Level Crossing Removals Project

Project Description

The Additional Works Package 6 (AWP6) involves the removal of 2 level crossings through a rail over scenario (Parkers Rd Parkdale & Warrigal Road Mentone), construction of a new station (Parkdale station). The Parkdale Level Crossing Removal Project design has been configured to minimise visual bulk and disturbance to the local community, yet still ensures all work is of high quality and amenity. The new ground connections provide an opportunity for a delightful ecological Linear Park bringing together pedestrian pathways and regionally significant bicycle networks through the Shared User.

Website

https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/level-crossing-removal-project/projects/parkers-road-parkdale

Inland Rail – Parkes to Narromine

The Parkes to Narromine section of Inland Rail in New South Wales was commissioned in late September 2020 and is now operational. The project involved the upgrade of 98.4km of existing rail track, including a full rebuild of the rail tracks, rail formation and supporting structures along the rail corridor. The 5.3km stretch of new rail track near Parkes, known as the North West Connection, is also complete and has been transferred to ARTC Operations with trains now using the line. Following completion of Inland Rail, the Parkes to Narromine section will provide a direct rail link between south-east Queensland, Adelaide and Perth via the Parkes north west connection. This connection will deliver immediate benefits with the east–west transcontinental line to Perth.

Rating Highlights: 

  • Implementation of the Earthworks Materials Specification allowing for the first time the re-use of existing formation on a freight rail project;
  • The first instance of carbon neutral culvert use on an Australian freight rail project; and
  • P2N delivered great outcomes in the stakeholder, social performance and community engagement areas, demonstrating the commitment of Inland Rail to the communities it impacts.

WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL – PACKAGE 2

The WHT is a major transport infrastructure project that will make it easier, faster and safer to get around Sydney. By creating a western bypass of the Sydney CBD, the WHT will take pressure off the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Harbour Tunnel, Anzac Bridge and Western Distributor corridors to improve transport capacity in and around Sydney Harbour. The Western Harbour Tunnel is being delivered in two stages. The northern section of the tunnel, Stage 2, will be delivered by Acciona Construction Australia. This stage of the Western Harbour Tunnel sees early work construction expected to start in 2023. Stage 2 includes connections from Stage 1 at Cove Street, Birchgrove, to the Warringah Freeway near North Sydney, and complete tunnel fit-out.

The tunnel project will be built using two Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) to tunnel through clean sandstone under Sydney Harbour, while roadheaders will excavate the clean sandstone on the north side of the Harbour. Using the TBMs will eliminate any dredging activities through the Sydney Harbour seabed, removing risks to the marine environment and biodiversity and the need for construction sites at Yurulbin Point and Berrys Bay, significantly reducing construction impacts for thousands of residents in Birchgrove and Waverton. Once all excavation activities are finished, the roadheaders will be removed from the two northern tunnelling construction sites and the TBMs will be disassembled and removed in pieces. The larger parts of the TBMs that cannot be removed will be buried underground allowing for the mechanical and electrical (M&E) work to fit out the tunnels with lighting, safety features, and jet fans to proceed.

Sydney Metro West – Eastern Tunnelling Package

The Sydney Metro West, Eastern Tunnelling Package (ETP) involves the delivery of:
 Enabling works such as demolition, utility supply to construction sites, utility adjustments and modifications to the existing transport network
 Mined crossover cavern construction east of The Bays Station
 4.2km of TBM Tunnel excavation, 650m of mined tunnels and 7 cross passage excavation, from The Bays to Sydney CBD
 Excavation for two new underground metro stations at Pyrmont and Hunter Street
 Construction of a turnback, crossover tunnels and caverns at the eastern end of the tunnel section
 A concrete segment facility for use during construction located at Eastern Creek.

Longwarry WRP

Augmentation of the Longwarry Water Recycling Plant to meet significant predicted growth within railway corridor catchment area. South East Water believes there is significant opportunity to design and build a low emissions treatment facility that explore opportunities associated with circular economy initiatives for the local community, whilst improving effluent discharge quality and minimising risk to the environment.

Djarindjin-Lombadina Water Treatment Upgrade Project

Under the Essential and Municipal Services Upgrade Program (EMSUP), a Western Australian Government initiative, the Water Corporation has been funded to regularise and assume responsibility for operation and maintenance of water and wastewater assets across a number of Aboriginal Communities. Djarindjin and Lombadina are two of the communities that will receive upgrades under the EMSUP. Djarindjin and Lombadina are two adjacent communities located 170 km North-East of Broome on the Dampier Peninsula. These communities are currently being serviced by the Department of Communities and Housing (DoC).

Keon Parade Level Crossing Removal Project

The Project will remove the current Keon Parade level crossing by building a rail bridge over the road and building a brand-new Keon Park Station with modern facilities for passengers.

Elevating the rail line over Keon Parade will improve safety and reduce congestion for more than 18,000 vehicles travelling through the level crossing each weekday, with boom gates down for up to 41 minutes of the morning peak.

The architecturally designed, modern Keon Park Station will be built on the south side of Keon Parade and will benefit passengers and the local community through improved connections to local neighbourhoods, JC Donath Reserve, buses, local shops, cafés, and eateries.

The new station will have two entrances for convenient access, a central elevated island platform accessible via lifts and stairs, and two car parks on High Street and Keon Parade.