What has happened so far
The construction of the Sandgate Road bridge is now complete with traffic switched to the new bridge on 30 November. The opening of the Sandgate Road bridge is an important milestone in the construction of the Sandgate to Shortland section of the Newcastle inner City Bypass. Located at the southern end of the Sandgate to Shortland project, the new bridge forms part of the final grade separated interchange. The new bridge provides a 2.5 metre wide pedestrian footpath along its northern side with two 3.5 metre wide travel lanes. A 40 km/h speed zone will remain over the new bridge until adjacent construction work is completed.
With the bridge opened, work will commence in April 2013 to excavate the old Sandgate Road, to allow completion of that section of the Bypass. The remaining interchange works at the Sandgate Road roundabout and southbound on-ramp will continue over the coming months. Final road resurfacing of Sandgate Road at either end of the bridge will be completed once the Bypass has been opened to traffic.
Upcoming works for the period January 2013 to June 2013 include:
- Construction of the remaining four bridges on the project is underway.
- Construction of the concrete bridge columns for the twin bridges over Deepbridge Creek have been completed and concrete bridge girders are now being installed and concrete deck pours are proceeding. Concrete girder installation and subsequent deck pours will continue over the next few months.
- All steel girders for the twin bridges over the Main Northern Railway have been delivered to site and final assembly is underway. Construction of the concrete bridge columns and pouring of the mid-span of the northbound bridge deck will be completed by the end of February. A number of complex engineering activities are being undertaken for the northbound railway bridge to be launched over the Main Northern Railway during the next railway shutdown scheduled for March 2013.
- Road pavement and drainage works have now commenced and will continue at various locations along the Bypass alignment.
Information for subcontractors engaged by Reed on recent RMS contracts
Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has received a large number of enquiries regarding its position on many issues following the appointment of the Administrator (and then the Liquidator) to Reed Constructions Australia (Reed).
An 'Information Sheet for Subcontractors' and its attachment 'Cross Checking Flowchart' is intended to provide subcontractors and suppliers with information on the matters as they currently stand.
View or download the information sheet and flowchart (PDF, 100KB).
On 28 May 2012, The Minister for Roads and Ports announced that Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) had decided to end its contractual arrangements (PDF, 98KB) with Reed Constructions.
RMS has now partnered (PDF, 100KB) with the Hunter Expressway Alliance contractor, Thiess Pty Ltd, to complete the Shortland to Sandgate section of the Newcastle inner City Bypass.
Thiess has agreed to expedite recommencement of construction on the project and is continuing discussions with the former Reed Construction Australia sub contractors to offer them the first opportunity to work on the project. Existing subcontractors and suppliers' details have been provided to the Hunter Expressway Alliance project team for that purpose.
The Hunter Expressway Alliance project team are onsite to answer any questions the community may have about the restart of the project. The project team can be contacted on 1800 334 541 (toll free).
Completion of the project is currently planned for the end of 2013. This project website will be updated as construction progresses.
Notice for subcontractors and suppliers
An email contact address is available for existing subcontractors and suppliers interested in continuing work: ReedSubcontractors@rms.nsw.gov.au.
Existing subcontractors and suppliers can also phone 1300 761 435 to register interest in continuing work.
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