An Alliance of McConnell Dowell, Arup and Mott MacDonald has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract to remove the level crossing on Kororoit Creek Road in Williamstown North and duplicate part of the Altona Loop as part of the Western Program Alliance.
On news of the award, McConnell Dowell’s Australian managing director Jim Frith said
“We are very pleased to be working with our project partners, the Level Crossing Removal Authority and MTM to remove this level crossing and enhance safety and reduce congestion for residents and commuters.”
“We will work closely with stakeholders and the local community to ensure the work is done with minimal disruption, and to ensure the new and improved infrastructure delivers improved travel outcomes and public amenity.”
Site work is due to begin on the Kororoit Creek Road project in the coming months.
As stated in the Minister’s announcement, if the Alliance meets strict performance measures in delivery of this project, it will retain the contract to then remove the level crossing at Abbotts Road in Dandenong South – where work will also start this year – followed by Aviation Road in Laverton, Ferguson Street in Williamstown, and Cherry and Werribee Streets in Werribee.
The Victorian Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan made the announcement today. Click here to read the Minister’s media release.
McConnell Dowell has appointed Fraser Wyllie to lead their New Zealand and Pacific Islands operations and build on the strong foundations laid by his predecessor Roger McRae.
Fraser has more than 30 years’ experience, most recently as Executive General Manager Projects at Downer, and a strong track record of overseeing both quality project execution and sustained commercial growth. Fraser has a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the University of Auckland and a Master of Business Administration from Massey University.
McConnell Dowell Group Chief Executive Scott Cummins welcomed Fraser as a valuable addition to the team.
“I look forward to working directly with Fraser, whose leadership and people skills have been reflected in his successful track record.” he said.
“McConnell Dowell was founded in New Zealand in 1961, and remains an extremely important market for us. I’m confident Fraser will make a strong contribution in terms of successful project delivery, profitability and sustainable growth.”
McConnell Dowell is currently undertaking numerous infrastructure projects in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands including works on roads, waste water treatment facilities, rail, tunnels and rebuilding Christchurch’s earthquake-hit infrastructure.
Scott also recognised the outstanding service of outgoing Managing Director Roger McRae, who has decided to step down after more than 16 years in the job and 30 years with McConnell Dowell.
“We would like to thank Roger for all he’s done, and we look forward to maintaining an ongoing working relationship with him as he moves into the next phase of his career,” he said.
Fraser is expected to commence in the role in the first week of August 2017.
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McConnell Dowell Operations Manager Joe Edwards has been elected a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers New Zealand, in recognition of the significant contribution he has made to the engineering profession.
Presented at a Gala Awards dinner on Friday 7 April, his citation read:
"Joe Edwards is elected a Fellow of IPENZ for his leadership and service in the construction industry, particularly in relation to tunnel safety. He has made an impressive contribution to setting industry standards and developing best practice guidance, especially in the area of extractives industry safety and training. This includes time as President of the Civil Contractors New Zealand, continued involvement with mining safety organisations and input into legislative changes in relation to tunnel construction. Much of this work has been on a voluntary basis while simultaneously holding the role of Operations Manager for McConnell Dowell, which has involved oversight of many large, complex projects."
Throughout his 40 year career, Joe has achieved senior operational management roles and his extensive experience and expertise spans most aspects of engineering and construction, particularly in the tunnel and underground sector, where he is regarded as an industry expert.
His contribution to the civil construction industry has included numerous positions in industry groups and Boards including the Pike River Implementation Industry Group, responsible for the drafting and review of the new Health and Safety Act 2015, the Mines Rescue Board, as well as providing expert advice on health and safety in underground construction to WorkSafe as a member of the WorkSafe Advisory Council. Last year he was recognised with a CCNZ Life Membership for his services to what is now Civil Contractors New Zealand (CCNZ). Joe served on the National Executive of CCNZ for 13 years including two years as President.
“Joe is held in high esteem in the construction industry, not only by fellow contractors, but by consulting engineers and clients alike,” says McConnell Dowell Managing Director Roger McRae.
“In all the time I have known Joe, he has always been highly ethical and professional and has never wavered from this in everything that he does. He maintains very high personal professional standards and has always displayed honesty, transparency and integrity in his approach to engineering and construction activities.”
The NZ Transport Agency has awarded McConnell Dowell the Construction Contract to make a number of upgrades to the Lyttelton Tunnel in Christchurch.
The contract involves installing a new deluge fire suppression system including construction of a new water reservoir on land above the tunnel, upgrading existing supply pipes and tunnel ventilation, some earthquake strengthening of portal buildings, major upgrades to the tunnels communications and new public address and CCTV systems.
Our extensive track record in the installation of deluge fire suppression systems in tunnels, includes our work on the Waterview Project in Auckland.
We look forward to once again working with and for the NZ Transport Agency and the people of Christchurch on this important project to upgrade the Lyttelton Tunnel.
Work on the design will start shortly, with completion in late 2018.
A new stormwater outfall to be constructed at Army Bay near Whangaparaoa north of Auckland will be a construction first for New Zealand.
McConnell Dowell will be installing the 2km onshore section of the 3km outfall pipe using Direct Pipe®, a construction methodology never before used in the country.
Direct Pipe® is a relatively new trenchless technology that combines the advantages of micro-tunnelling and HDD to install prefabricated steel pipe strings 120m at a time. The pipeline is installed well below the ground surface, posing a much lower environmental risk than other methodologies. (Watch a video of Direct Pipe® here)
McConnell Dowell adds this latest project to our extensive track record in offshore pipe installation, including marine outfalls at Rosedale, Pegasus Bay, Clandeboye and Tahuna, marine works at Taharoa, and the successful use of Direct Pipe® by McConnell Dowell on the 4th Parallel pipeline in Thailand.
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