NewsIn the Australian state of Victoria, the project company Southern Way, led by Bilfinger Berger Project Investments, has been named preferred bidder for the design, financing and construction of a 25km section of the Peninsula Link Highway. This will create an improved traffic connection to the Mornington Peninsula south-east of Melbourne. The company will subsequently operate the route for a period of 25 years.
Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas said the Southern Way consortium submitted an outstanding proposal for the project that would deliver enormous benefits to the community, including 4000 direct new jobs.
"This new major, toll-free, road link will deliver improved road safety, environmental sustainability and unique urban design, and will allow people to travel from Carrum Downs to Mt Martha in just 17 minutes - a massive saving of up to 40 minutes," Mr Pallas said.
Key features of the Peninsula Link project include:
- A huge construction task including 27km of freeway standard road, 11 local road connections, more than 35 bridges and 18,000m² of retaining walls.
- A contemporary urban design that considers both drivers and the community with particular care taken through sensitive areas like the Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve.
- A 22km walking and cycling path starting in Patterson Lakes and connecting with other popular paths in the area.
- A partnership with the McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park that will see a major sculpture at the Peninsula Link/EastLink interchange and the winner of a bi-annual sculpture competition being displayed along the project.
- Planting of around 1.5 million plants, shrubs and trees along the freeway corridor to improve the environment.
- A partnership with the Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies (CERES) to teach local school children about environmental initiatives.
- Construction work will be carried out entirely by Bilfinger Berger Australia’s subsidiary Abigroup.
Australia, where Bilfinger Berger is currently delivering privately-financed projects in the healthcare and justice sectors, is among the Group’s core markets for its global concessions business.
