Company says ‘oui’ to bypass
Companies jostle for position on Range crossing
A FRENCH-based construction company is one of a number of international firms looking at building the Toowoomba Range bypass.
Ian Macfarlane: We are ready to go. There will be a lot of competition from companies world-wide who are all keen to become the lead contractor.
A NUMBER of major world-wide construction companies are waiting on the outcome of the Federal Election before ramping up their bids to become the lead contractor responsible for building the Toowoomba Range bypass.
The Chronicle can reveal exclusively that discussions are well advanced with one internationally based company which is keen to build the $1.6 billion project.
The company, French-based firm Bouygues Construction, has been behind four major Australian projects as well as a host of multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects world-wide.
Australian projects include the Go Between and Gateway bridges in Brisbane along with the Sydney Olympic Stadium and Sydney Airport Rail Link in New South Wales.
Current Bouygues Construction infrastructure projects span four continents and include the MahaNakhon Tower in Bangkok, The Philharmonie de Paris in France, the Chernobyl confinement sarcophagus in Russia, the international cruise terminal building in Hong Kong and the Baluarte Bridge in Mexico.
Federal Member for Groom Ian Macfarlane said yesterday there had been a lot of work done behind the scenes over the past three-years to ensure the project was ready to proceed if the Coalition was successful on polling day.
“We are ready to go,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“There will be a lot of competition from companies world-wide who are all keen to become the lead contractor.
“I believe Bouygues will find the competition very, very hot.
“Some of the projects Bouygues have been involved with across the world are iconic.
“Our biggest problem is there are too many companies who want to build it,” he said.
Mr Macfarlane said he had also met with two Australian-based firms who have their eye on the project.
“Bouygues Construction are not the only company interested in the project,” he said.
“I have met with Thiess Australia as well as Leighton Contractors who want to be involved.
“There are also civil construction companies in Toowoomba such as FK Gardner and Sons and Wagners who are extremely interested in teaming up with the lead contractor on the project once they are appointed.”
Mr Macfarlane said now the hard work had been done behind the scenes it was just a matter of winning the Federal Election.
“It is the first time I am extremely confident it will be built,” he said.
“If we win the Federal Election the discussions between the interested companies, as well as the State Government, will start immediately.
“I am dead certain if we win the election it will be built.”
Do you think the Toowoomba Range bypass is one-step closer to being built? Vote online at www.thechronicle.com.au