The Great Northern Highway Kimberley Project

Overview

The Great Northern Highway is part of the Auslink National Road Network. It is the main land transport route between Perth and the Kimberley Region, and the only sealed road connecting Western Australia with the Northern Territory. It is a vital corridor for freight transport, tourism and defence.
The Australian Government has committed Auslink funding to Main Roads WA to upgrade five sections of the highway. The work will be undertaken by Team Savannah through a new form of contract known as Early Contractor Involvement or ECI.

Key Activities

The five sections that make up the Kimberley Project are shown on the map on page 3. They are:

•  Elvire to Sandy Creek (approx 20km north of the Halls Creek) – reconstruction of 19.7 km in two sections:
  - Replace all culverts,
  - Drainage and floodway improvement,
  - Minor improvements to road alignment;
•  Fletchers Creek (approx 80km north of Halls Creek) – construct a new 2 lane 80 m bridge and 1.5 km of approaches;
• Big Mabel Creek (approx 20km south of Warmun) – demolish the existing 49 m single lane bridge and construct a new 2 lane 60 m bridge and 0.5 km of approaches;
  The bridge is under-strength and currently has speed restrictions in place to minimise further deterioration
  
• Telegraph Creek (approx 20km north of Warmun) - construct a new 2 lane 60 m bridge and 1 km of approaches;
• Bow River area (approx 20km north of Warmun) – minor realignment and reconstruction of 18 km:
  -Replace all culverts.
  -Drainage and floodway improvement. and
  -Crest and curve improvements to improve sight distance and overall safety.
  This work will require significant side track construction.

Who is Team Savannah?

Team Savannah formed in June 2007 to undertake the Great Northern Highway Kimberley Project and is a consortium of:

•  BGC Contracting Pty Ltd
• Laing O’Rourke Australia Construction Pty Ltd
• Maunsell Australia Pty Ltd

What is an ECI Contract?

Early Contractor Involvement or ECI is a new form of contracting for Western Australia. It has been used in major construction projects elsewhere in the world.
During the ECI contract Team Savannah and Main Roads are working together to determine the preliminary design and the final cost to construct the project.
If the price is acceptable to Main Roads, Team Savannah will be awarded the next stage to finalise the design and complete construction.
If the final price is not accepted by Main Roads the construction of the project may be re-tendered.

Involving Community

Team Savannah recognises the importance of engaging with the community during the project and is committed to delivering an exceptional project in harmony with all stakeholders.

In this issue

• Overview
• Key Activities
• Who is Team Savannah?
• What is an ECI Contract?
• Involving Community

Key Dates

October 2007

• ECI agreement signed
• Visit to site and engagement
  with share holders commenced

• Site investigations complete
• Water sources identified.
  Design well underway

February 2008

• Final Aboriginal Heritage
  Clearances
• Stakeholders consulted on
  ultimate design

April 2008

• Preliminary design
  completed
• Construction of workers
  accommodation camp

May 2008

• Design & Construction
  contract agreed
  

June 2008

•   Construction commences

•   Construction completed

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