Roads and Maritime Services sends invite to Acciona to ‘express interest’ in $2.6bn project
THE Spanish company behind Sydney’s light rail debacle has been “rewarded” with the opportunity to tender for another billion-dollar NSW government contract. But one MP isn’t happy and believes they shouldn’t be awarded another big job.
NSW
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THE Spanish company behind Sydney’s light rail debacle has been “rewarded” with the opportunity to tender for another billion-dollar NSW government contract.
Roads and Maritime Services has written to Acciona in a “market-sounding process”, inviting it to express interest in building the massive new $2.6 billion major Sydney Gateway Project. But Transport Minister Andrew Constance said there was no way Acciona would win the final contract on another big job.
The invite comes as the government is locked in a legal battle with the multinational, which it blames for long delays on the light rail.
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The Sydney Gateway Project will pass through Sydney Airport and create a direct motorway access to the domestic and international terminal precincts in a congestion-busting infrastructure commitment.
Both state and federal governments estimate its completion by 2023.
Mr Constance said Roads and Maritime Services “didn’t get the message” on the company’s performance.
“Clearly RMS didn’t get the message and Acciona can’t take a hint. Based on their performance on light rail, there is no way in hell Acciona would make the cut on another major rail contract under this government,” Mr Constance said.
“Acciona can waste their time and money bidding all they like. The government has clear guidelines when it comes to awarding tenders — and these guys have shown their performance just isn’t good enough.”
It is understood up to 20 companies were contacted, with Acciona one of 16 who have officially registered for the market-sounding process by Roads and Maritime Services — which is a precursor for final tendering.
The state government has repeatedly criticised the Spanish contractor for slow work on the CBD light rail, including understaffing and at one point a deliberate go-slow.
Government officials have even been forced to conduct headcounts on worksites.
Acciona has warned the light rail project is now unlikely to be opened until May, 2020 — 14 months late.
The government — locked in a legal battle over construction issues — believes there is no excuse for this deadline.
The Sydney Gateway project includes a toll-free route from the WestConnex at St Peters, connecting the M4 and M5 to the airport. The road continues around to Port Botany, with Qantas Drive widened to three lanes and flyover entries to Terminals 2 and 3.