Thiess, Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) and Hyder have been awarded an alliance contract for the Tulla Sydney section of the $2.25 billon M80 Ring Road Upgrade. Thiess, PB and Hyder join VicRoads to form the Tulla Sydney Alliance which will design, manage and deliver the works.

All three firms are currently completing work on the West Gate Freeway Upgrade Alliance with VicRoads and this particular teaming was part of the force behind EastLink. Considered a critical component of Melbourne’s road network, the M80 Ring Road links a number of corridors and major arterial roads and facilitates freight movement between Melbourne, regional Victoria and interstate capitals.

The M80 Ring Road Upgrade will deliver widening and improvement works to improve safety and congestion and improve travel times and reliability, especially during peak periods. VicRoads has identified the 8.4 km Tulla Sydney section between the Tullamarine Freeway and Sydney Road section as the highest priority to upgrade, as it has been subject to the most congestion.

Improvements to this section will include: Construction of additional lanes to provide three lanes in each direction; Upgrades to existing bridges; Installation of an Intelligent
Transport System; Improvements to the layout of some interchanges and freeway ramps where required; Provision of landscaping and urban design elements to improve amenity and driveability.