New M5 tunnel project awarded
4 September 2015AUSTRALIA – A Leighton Contractors, Dragados and Samsung C&T joint venture has been selected as the preferred contractor to design and construct Sydney’s AUD 5bn (USD 3.51bn) New M5 Motorway.
The New M5 tunnel, Stage 2 of WestConnex, Australia's largest integrated transport and urban revitalisation project, is being delivered by Sydney Motorway Corporation (SMC), on behalf of the NSW Government.
The New M5 will run via tunnel from the existing M5 East at Kingsgrove to a new interchange at St Peters, substantially improving east-west corridor access between the Sydney CBD, Port Botany and Sydney Airport precincts and the South West growth areas.
The project will deliver approximately nine kilometres of two-lane twin tunnels with capacity to operate three lanes in the future, motorway to motorway connections to the King Georges Road Interchange Upgrade at Beverly Hills, and a new interchange at St Peters.
Subject to completion of the project's approval process, major works are expected to commence in mid-2016 and the New M5 tunnel is scheduled to open to traffic in late 2019.
WestConnex is being delivered in three stages, with final completion scheduled for 2023.
Leighton Contractors Managing Director Román Garrido said: "Delivery of the New M5 tunnel will provide a high quality link in Sydney's road network operations, which will double the capacity of the M5 East corridor. Working closely with SMC our experienced team is contributing innovative design solutions and construction methodologies to enhance the motorway's efficient construction and operations as well as community and environmental outcomes."
