PRIME MINISTER 19/ 92
EMBARGOED 7: 20PM 26 FEBRUARY 1992
JOINT STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J
KEATING MP, AND THE PREMIER OF NEW SOUTH WALES, THE HON
NICK GREINER MP
GLEBE ISLAND BRIDGE
Following today's announcement by the Prime Minister of
the broad range of transport and other infrastructure
initiatives which will benefit the State of New South
Wales, the Prime Minister and Premier Nick Greiner, today
announced that work on the Glebe Island Bridge can
immediately move ahead with a view to completion of the
project by 19395.
In light of -the implications of the Economic Statement
initiatives for the longer term road funding
responsibilities of the Commonwealth and the States, New
South Wales ' has been assured of the fiscal capability to
proceed with the 4 year Glebe Island Arterial Project.
The Prime Minister also re-affirmed that the Commonwealth
would contribute $ 65.85 million to the Project in the
life of the existing Commonwealth roads program which
ends in 1993.
In making the announcement, the Premier explained that
the new bridge, which will remove a major bottle-neck in
traffic flow between Sydney and its western environments,
will carry six lanes of traffic. It will have an overall
length of 800 metres and a main span of 345 metres across
the entrance; Blackwattle Bay. The bridge deck is to be
suspended by cable from two towers of 120 metres height.
Mr Greiner announced that the contract for construction
of the bridge will be awarded to Baulderstone Hornibrook
in conjunction with the French company, Campenon Bernard.
The tender price is approximately $ 69 million in 1990
dollar terms. The total Glebe Island Arterial Project,
which is approximately 2 kilometres in length, will have
a final cost, in out-turn dollars, of approximately $ 160
million.
2
Work on the site will commence virtually immediately,
with the creation of new jobs expected to reach
approximately 200 by the end of the year. An additional
800 jobs are likely to be created off-site by the new
Project. The Prime Minister and the Premier look forward to the
benefits that this link, together with the City-West
Link, will provide as an east-west route from the City to
the F4 at Concord. The Glebe Island Bridge will also
enable better access to Sydney's inner ports and is an
important project in the context of the infrastructure
required for the Olympic Games in Sydney.
Canberra 26 February 1992