Major international construction group picked to build $15.8bn North East Link’s tunnels

A group of building giants from Italy, China and Australia is set to construct Victoria’s most expensive road project — the $15.8 billion North East Link.

The North East Link tunnel boring machine began work under Bulleen Rd earlier this year. Picture: Supplied

The $15.8 billion North East Link’s tunnel and interchanges are set to be built by a group of international and Australian companies that have won the right to negotiate a contract.

The Morrison and Andrews governments have announced on Thursday morning that they will work with the group on final designs for the major project, which will connect the Eastern Freeway to the M80 in Greensborough, in the coming months.

The leading consortium is Spark, which comprises of several companies including Italian giant WeBuild, China Construction Oceania, GS Engineering and Construction, CPB Contractors, Ventia, Capella Capital, John Laing Investments, DIF and Pacific Partnerships.

The contract, which is one of five packages of works for the project, would be for building twin three-lane tunnels under Bulleen as well as key interchanges.

A group of building giants will build the major North East Link project.

Construction is expected to begin this year.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said the project would create jobs and improve journey times for cars and freight.

“Fixing the missing link will get trucks off local roads as well as providing a much-improved route for interstate, regional and metropolitan freight vehicles.”

Federal urban infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher said it was another important step for Victoria’s biggest road project.

He said it would improve “congestion and safety particularly for communities in Melbourne’s northern and eastern suburbs”.

“This project is one of many critical infrastructure projects to receive funding from the Morrison Government as part of its record $110 billion, 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline, which is helping to drive Australia’s world-leading economic recovery.”

Mr Fletcher and Ms Allan said the new tunnels would be built protect homes and sensitive environmental areas including the Yarra River, Banyule Flats and Warringal Parklands.

Victorian opposition transport spokesman David Davis said the preferred bidder should consider a longer tunnel which was preferred by the local community.

“There are also legitimate questions about the role of Chinese Communist controlled construction firms,” he said.

“Victorians will be watching closely to see how this deal is structured and what steps are in place to ensure taxpayers constrain costs to get value for money.”