Heavy fixes on light rail
Contractors fight out $150m suit for costs
GOLD Coast light rail operators will continue to fix defects on the first stage of the project during the next nine months as work starts on rolling out the tram line to Helensvale.
The repair works continue as a massive lawsuit between some of the original contractors for the $1.2 billion first stage between Parklands and Broadbeach continues.
The State Government will only start paying for the repairs from July next year as part of the contract negotiated with operators GoldLinQ.
Tenders for stage two will close on December 23 with the preferred bidder announced early in the New Year, allowing for construction work to start in April.
The Bulletin has learned the tram operators were required to fix defects in the system for the first two years as part of a “standard contract”.
GoldLinQ communication director Jason Ward confirmed the consortium had a two-year defects and liability period from construction “should there be any issues with delivered works”.
“Once this defects period ends, the maintenance ... is the responsibility of the individual asset owner,” Mr Ward said.
Light rail workers have had to repair concrete sections of the track near Broadbeach to reduce noise and the other major challenge has been stray currents where “leakage” occurred below ground.
As the contractual obligations of first stage of the project are about to conclude, a $150 million lawsuit between the original contractors continues in the courts.
GoldLinQ will not comment because it is not involved.
Melbourne-based construction company McConnell Dowell has filed the claim against Brisbane-based company Cardno and Londonbased services firm Arup with the defendants yet to respond.
McConnell was responsible for design and construction of the light rail and hired the other two companies to assist.
In documents lodged in the Supreme Court in Brisbane, McConnell has alleged Cardno failed to identify all the public utilities, including sewerage and electricity, which could require protection or relocation.
The company is attempting to recover the extra costs from fixing some of those public utilities. McConnell has identified $68 million against Cardno, and another $60 million in costs involving Arup.