Felix Project News Recap: Most viewed project updates in the first half of 2024

During the first half of 2024, Felix Project News has posted hundreds of project news and updates from across the different Australian states and territories. 

In this post, let us look at the most viewed project post for each month from January to June this year. 

January 

Mount Ousley Interchange (New South Wales) 

Project summary: The $390 million Mount Ousley Interchange project will replace the existing intersection of the Princes Motorway and Mount Ousley Road. The project is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales Governments. 

Key features of the project include: 

• A heavy vehicles bypass lane for southbound travel, separating light and heavy vehicles 

• Separate off ramps for southbound light and heavy vehicles exiting the M1 Princes Motorway 

• Two heavy vehicle safety ramps 

• A bridge over the M1 Princes Motorway with signalised intersections connecting the M1 Princes Motorway, Mount Ousley Road and the new access road to the University of Wollongong 

• A commuter car park 

• A roundabout that provides access to the M1 Princes Motorway and the University access road 

• A shared path along the bridge over the M1 Princes Motorway and the University access road 

• A southbound access road between Mount Ousley Road and University Avenue 

• A pedestrian and cyclist bridge over the southbound access road 

• A shared path connecting to the existing path from Helen Street, and upgrades to the shared path adjacent to TAFE NSW Wollongong 

• Upgrade and extension of the existing pedestrian bridge over the M1 Princes Motorway at Northfields Avenue 

• Five-metre-high noise walls along the northern side of the motorway and the southern side of Dumfries Avenue; and along the southern side of the motorway and northern side of Falder Place 

• Three and a half metre high noise walls along the southern side of Mount Ousley Road, between Gowan Brae Avenue and the cul-de-sac at the western end 

Latest project update: Fulton Hogan has been awarded the contract to design and build the new interchange. Construction is due to begin in late 2024 and will take up to four years to complete, weather and construction conditions permitting. 

February 

Suburban Rail Loop (Victoria) 

Project summary: The overall Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) is a game-changing, multi-generational development that will transform Victoria’s transport system. It will deliver a 90-kilometre orbital rail line that will link every major train service from the Frankston Line to the Werribee Line via Melbourne Airport, helping relieve pressure on roads and other transport networks while connecting people to key destinations across the city. 

The Suburban Rail Loop is being built in four sections: 

• SRL East – Cheltenham to Box Hill 

• SRL North – Box Hill to Melbourne Airport 

• SRL Airport – Melbourne Airport to Sunshine 

• SRL West – Sunshine to Werribee 

 SRL East and SRL Airport are already under construction, with target completion in 2035 and 2029 respectively. 

Latest project update: Expressions of Interest were opened earlier this year for two contracts to build the six new stations for SRL East. Terra Verde has also been appointed as the preferred bidder for the second tunnelling contract for SRL East. 

March 

Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail (Queensland) 

Project summary: The jointly funded $5.75 billion Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail Project will help improve travel times and safety for both road and rail users. 

Key features of the project include: 

• Doubling the capacity of the Gold Coast rail line and reducing waiting times at stations between Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast 

• Approximately 20 kilometres of new tracks and rail systems between Kuraby station and Beenleigh station, increasing the corridor from 2 to 4 tracks 

• Better connected communities through accessible upgrades at stations and dedicated active transport facilities and paths along the corridor 

• Improved road network efficiency and reduced peak hour traffic congestion through intersection upgrades and level crossing removals at Kuraby, Woodridge, Bethania, Holmview and Beenleigh 

• New train signalling technology between Salisbury and Varsity Lakes 

• Extension of the cattle siding at Holmview 

Latest project update: Procurement for the project is progressing with major contractors are shortlisted to tender for three individual packages of work. Shortlisted tenderers include LGC Rail Package, LGC OLCR Package, and Loganlea Station Relocation Project. 

April 

Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant (Western Australia) 

Project summary: The $2.8 billion Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant is set to become Perth’s next large-scale seawater desalination plant that will deliver an initial 50 billion litres of climate-resilient drinking water when Stage 1 of the project is commissioned in 2028. 

Key features of the project include: 

• A 50 billion litres per year desalination plant within the Alkimos Water Precinct, with the possibility of a future 50 billion litres per year expansion 

• An ocean intake pipeline below the seabed that brings seawater into the plant 

• An ocean discharge pipeline below the seabed that safely takes brine (salty water) away from the plant 

• A 33.5-kilometre pipeline to convey drinking water produced by the plant to Wanneroo Reservoir for supply into Perth’s Integrated Water Supply Scheme 

• Built-up, vegetated sand dunes on the western side of the Alkimos Water Precinct. It will be incorporated into the existing natural dune system to minimise potential visual and noise impacts from the plant 

• Provision for a 4.9 billion litres per year groundwater treatment plant and local bores 

Latest project update: Northern Water Partnership (NWP) has been awarded the contract to design, build and operate the first stage of the Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant, with construction due to begin this year. 

May 

Coomera Connector Stage 1 (Queensland) 

Project summary: The $3.062 billion Coomera Connector Stage 1 project between Coomera and Nerang will deliver a 16-kilometre 4-lane corridor with additional crossings of the Coomera and Nerang rivers. This project aims to reduce pressure on the M1 by providing an alternative route for the growing population and commercial hubs in Helensvale and Coomera. 

Stage 1 will be delivered in three construction packages: 

• Stage 1 North – Shipper Drive, Coomera to Helensvale Road, Helensvale 

• Stage 1 Central – Helensvale Road, Helensvale to Smith Steet Motorway, Molendinar 

• Stage 1 South – Smith Street Motorway, Molendinar to Nerang-Broadbeach Road, Nerang 

Coomera Connector Stage 1 is expected to progressively open to traffic from late 2025. 

Latest project update: The contract to undertake early works on Stage 1 South has been awarded to Winslow Infrastructure Pty Ltd. 

June 

Richmond Road Upgrade (New South Wales) 

Project summary: Richmond Road serves as a primary arterial road for those communities accessing the M7 Motorway. The planned upgrade of the 2.2-kilometre section of Richmond Road between M7 Motorway and Townson Road in Marsden Park will help improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and boost safety for all road users. The project is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales Governments. 

Key features of the proposed upgrade include: 

• Widening Richmond Road between the M7 Motorway and Townson Road, adding an additional lane in each direction 

• Building a new flyover bridge from the M7 Motorway Rooty Hill Road North off-ramp to Richmond Road northbound to allow road users to bypass two sets of traffic lights, reducing congestion and queuing onto the motorway allowing uninterrupted flow of traffic 

• Replacing the bridge over Bells Creek with a new concrete bridge that will include a separated pedestrian and bike path and travel lanes 

• New staged pedestrian crossings on Richmond Road at Alderton Drive and Townson Road making it easier for pedestrians and bike riders to move safely in and around the area 

• Intersections upgrade along Richmond Road between the M7 Motorway and Townson Road 

Latest project update: Designs for the Richmond Road Upgrade project have been unveiled for community consultation. Early works on the project are anticipated to commence in 2027. 

Don’t miss out on the latest construction, mining and infrastructure project updates by subscribing to Felix Project News today.