Henderson-based company, Civmec, has entered into a contract to build key components of the Swan River Pedestrian Bridge.

• Locally based company, Civmec, awarded contract to build Swan River Pedestrian Bridge
• New approach will maximise local jobs, creating about 250 jobs for Western Australians
• Target completion date of March 2018 remains achievable

Today, the State Government and head contractor York Rizzani Joint Venture signed a sub-alliance agreement with Civmec for the fabrication of the bridge components.

The new agreement brings Civmec into the Swan River Bridge Alliance, which also includes Main Roads Western Australia and York Rizzani Joint Venture.

The Alliance, using Civmec’s expertise, will manage the steel fabrication, painting of the arches and decks and their transportation to the Swan River Pedestrian Bridge construction sites.

The new program of works relies on Civmec organising the services of other local companies and workshops to assist with the fabrication and shop detailing.

The target completion date for the bridge of March 2018 remains achievable, and there are financial incentives in place for York Rizzani Joint Venture to meet that date.

The cost of locally manufactured steel is estimated to be $25 million, forming part of the budget for the $83 million bridge construction. As outlined in June, new site assembly costs will also be incurred.

The steel deck and arch components of the bridge were originally being manufactured in Malaysia by York Rizzani Joint Venture’s previous subcontractor Toyota Tsusho.

However, that subcontract was terminated after Toyota Tsusho failed to deliver bridge components within the repeatedly extended deadlines.

After ongoing disputes, York Rizzani Joint Venture terminated the subcontract and will remain liable for any claims from Toyota Tsusho regarding the subcontract.

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

“The signing of Civmec represents a significant step forward compared to the contract we had inherited upon entering government.

“In the process of renegotiation, we have managed to create about 250 local jobs and have gained a clearer line of sight on the delivery of the project.

“While the steel fabrication is challenging and complex, and there is a risk that the target completion date may not be met, the advice we have received is that the March schedule can work.

“With the works undertaken locally, there will be detailed management and monitoring by the project team with a fully collaborative approach to risk management and issue resolution.

“We share York Rizzani Joint Venture’s view that their new arrangements provide a more reliable basis for successfully completing the project than previously, and the decision to enlist local industry to get the job done was the best way forward.”