Italian infrastructure giant Salini Impregilo returning to Victoria

Victoria’s infrastructure boom has lured a global civil project developer back to Melbourne for the first time since they helped build the City Loop. And they’re bringing robots.

Salini Impregilo helped build Melbourne’s City Loop in the ‘70s — now they’re back. Picture: Jason Edwards

Victoria’s infrastructure boom has lured one of the world’s biggest civil project developers back to Melbourne for the first time since the company helped build the City Loop.

And the Italian group, Salini Impregilo, is bringing robots with it.

The major projects specialist has flagged plans to pursue up to $70 billion worth of developments in the state’s infrastructure pipeline, and has already tendered for two projects.

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Salini Impregilo Asia Pacific executive director Marco Assorati said the state government’s “unprecedented” investment would ensure Victoria maintained a strong pipeline of civil projects for the next 10-15 years.

Salini Impregilo asia pacific chief executive Marco Assorati says the firm has big plans for Victoria.

“We think that we can bring our expertise (back) to Victoria, and we have completed similar projects in other parts of the world,” Mr Assorati said.

“There are big, and challenging, projects coming up where we can bring expertise and know how.”

Suburban rail and major road infrastructure projects will be high on its list.

Victoria has a transport project pipeline worth more than $35 billion, including $11 billion for the Metro Tunnel, $6.7 billion for the West Gate Tunnel, and $15.8 billion for the North East Link.

While much of that work has already been tendered out, the federal government has flagged $100 billion in spending nationwide for infrastructure projects over the next decade, and Victoria’s strong economy is likely to make it an attractive destination for further funding.

Robotics and advanced sensors are likely to be a part of the pitch to government departments.

Salini Impregilo is building a “smart” bridge in Genoa, Italy, to replace the Morandi Bridge that collapsed in tragic circumstances last year.

Salini Impregilo helped build the Sydney Metro Northwest railink.

The new bridge will feature robots that handle maintenance and an array of sophisticated sensors to learn how to improve future construction.

“It’s about how you use technology and think outside of the box,” Mr Assorati said.

“We try to avoid possibly exposing humans to risks, so robots can really help these days.

“They are being used for one of the first times in Italy, and we want to bring that thinking to Victoria.”

Based in Milan, Salini Impregilo employs more than 20,000 people globally.

It is listed on the Italian stock exchange, Borsa Italiana, and has a market capitalisation of €1.59 billion ($2.59 billion).

The construction company is best known in Victoria for the work one of its forerunners, Cogefar, carried out on the City Loop beneath Melbourne’s streets 40 years ago.

It has worked on other projects in Australia more recently, including Sydney’s Metro Northwest skytrain project.