Leighton Awarded WA’s Mitchell Freeway Extension

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Leighton Awarded WA’s Mitchell Freeway Extension

Leighton Holdings’ company, Leighton Contractors, has been selected by Main Roads Western Australia to deliver a six kilometre extension of the Mitchell Freeway in Perth’s North-West corridor. The contract, for the design and construction of the freeway, will generate revenue of approximately $160 million.

The Mitchell Freeway Extension from Burns Beach Road, Joondalup to Hester Avenue, Clarkson will improve access and travel time to Perth’s far northern suburbs, facilitating residential and business development and employment opportunities in the area.

Leighton Holdings Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Marcelino Fernández Verdes said: “This award points to the strong pipeline of work ahead over the mid-to-long term as governments across Australia continue investing in urban infrastructure programs.

“Delivering new and upgraded transport infrastructure is a core capability for the Leighton Group. We are pleased to continue working with Main Roads WA to deliver enduring assets that are enhancing Perth’s transport system and generating significant community and economic benefits.”

The extension from Burns Beach Road to Hester Avenue will consist of two lanes in each direction, with the capacity to add a third lane in the future. North-bound and south-bound carriageways will be constructed on either side of the northern suburbs railway line. The project also includes:

• Principal shared paths for pedestrians and cyclists

• Extension of Neerabup Road east from Connolly Drive to Wanneroo Road

• Duplication of Hester Avenue from Hidden Valley Retreat to Wanneroo Road

• Grade-separated interchanges at Burns Beach Road, Neerabup Road and Hester Avenue.

Detailed design work will commence in April 2015 and construction is expected to commence in mid-2015. The freeway extension is planned for completion by mid-2017.

At its peak, project construction will provide employment for approximately 244 people.

Leighton Contractors has a strong presence in Western Australia and has previously worked with Main Roads WA on several major projects.

Source: The EPC Engineer

Link: http://tinyurl.com/pvjpj6h

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.