Parramatta Light Rail (Stage 1)

 

Client:           CPB Contractors & Downer JV

 

Contract:      $34m

Gremalco is proud to have been awarded the largest utility contract on Stage 1 of the transformational Parramatta Light Rail project. Gremalco was awarded three combined utility packages across three locations in Harris Park, Parramatta and Westmead.

Parramatta Light Rail is one of the NSW Government’s major infrastructure projects, designed to service a rapidly growing population in Western Sydney. The project will quite literally, transform communities by nature of supporting the movement and connection of people in areas along the new rail corridor.

Gremalco in partnership with Jonishan Civil Contracting, were responsible for the relocation of Endeavour Energy infrastructure (132kV, 11kV, LV and streetlighting), Sydney Water infrastructure (potable water and sewer) and council stormwater assets. Our scope also included the relocation of Jemena, Telstra, Optus, AARNet and AAPT infrastructure.

All of the package works were constructed in a complex, urban environment with high community visibility and in some areas, where critical-service clients were located. The packages of work were located at:

  • Macquarie and Harris Street, Parramatta
  • George Street, Parramatta
  • Hawkesbury Road and Hainsworth Street, Westmead (adjacent to Westmead Children’s & Cumberland Hospitals)

The project involved numerous risks, challenges and opportunities, all identified and expertly managed by our project team throughout:

 

 Risks

  • Availability of designs on time
  • Known and unknown services that impact design alignments
  • Extremely tight delivery timeframes

 Challenges

  • Management of design changes on the run whilst minimiseing impact on program
  • Ensuring minimal disruption to critical-service clients such as Westmead Children’s Hospital, Cumberland and other services located around Westmead construction site
  • Providing community respite from construction zone impacts: noise, dust and congestion
  • Working in highly constricted construction zone
  • Access restrictions
  • Managing traffic flows and switches effectively
  • Management and treatment of unknown services
  • Management of heritage finds
  • Working below the water table near the Parramatta River

 Opportunities

  • Early start up workshops allowed us to ensure all parties including the client had a clear understanding of the project delivery approach and deadlines
  • Space proofing of designs prior to construction allowed design changes to be made prior to them becoming a construction issue thus saving time in the long run
  • Utilisation of the 3D model produced during space proofing allowed us to maximise shared trenches for services
  • Regular consultation and planning meetings allowed us react to changes on the run, thus keeping the project on track