Rail Trail workshop attracts 19 prospective tenderers
15 November 2018
Experience Our Heritage video released
Twenty-seven representatives from 19 construction and consultancy companies and one vegetation management company today attended a Council workshop to learn more about the proposed first stage of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek.
At the workshop, Council released a short video Experience Our Heritage showcasing the route and scenery along the way. Watch it at www.yoursaytweed.com.au/RailTrail/videos/5593.
The workshop provided context around the proposed rail trail, plus highlighted some of the design and construction challenges presented by the current poor condition of the rail corridor.
Council has called for Expressions of Interest to design and construct the rail trail, with proposals for both on-rail and off-rail formations invited.
The construction companies now have until 12 December to respond to the Expression of Interest, which is designed to assess design and construction capability and experience, including workplace health and safety and environmental management credentials. Around February 2019, three to four companies will be short-listed to work closely with Council to tender for the Design and Construct contract for the rail trail. That contract will be awarded around May next year, with construction to start about June 2019 for completion by September 2020.
“We were very pleased with the diversity and depth of construction expertise that today’s workshop attracted, with obvious rail bridge and civil engineering expertise in the room,” Rail Trail Project Director Iain Lonsdale said.
“The questions from the floor demonstrated a keen desire of prospective tenderers to understand the detailed design and construction challenges of the project, explore on-rail and off-rail formation opportunities and to manage community expectations and adjacent landowner needs throughout.”
Prospective tenderers got a bird’s eye view of the condition of the corridor via video detailing the major design and construction challenges, such as: difficult topography; significant grades; flood-prone land; landslips and scours; numerous creek crossings; historic bridges with spans missing; and, overgrown vegetation.
The Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek rail trail is 24-kilometres long, winding through the villages of Stokers Siding, Burringbar and Crabbes Creek. It features two tunnels, one 523-metres long with ecological values that need to be managed during design and construction; 27 bridges, of which 18 are significant in size or construction method; and, several heritage items.
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail, stage 1 from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek, is fully funded by the federal and state governments and supported by Tweed Shire Council.
The $13 million trail is being built to provide business and growth opportunities in the Tweed villages and economic and social benefits for the community.
To have your say on this important project, visit www.yoursaytweed.com.au/RailTrail.
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Caption: Rail Trail Project Director Iain Lonsdale provides context around the proposed rail trail for representatives from 19 construction and consultancy companies interested in tendering for the project.