Toowoomba bypass list cut to three - Toowoomba Chronicle

THE shortlist for the $1.6 billion Toowoomba bypass has been narrowed down to a trio of rival consortia.

Three international conglomerates formed to take on the massive project have been chosen as the final bidders - Nexus, RangeConnect and RangeLink.

Only RangeLink boasts a local Toowoomba company among the top tier of its ranks, with Wagners poised to handle materials supply, earthworks and construction duties.

The syndicate is headed by French-based firm Bouygues Construction and includes Toowoomba companies FK Gardner and Sons and Ostwald Bros as "sub-alliance partners".

Toowoomba bypass consortium leader Plenary Group is responsible for the $1 billion Gold Coast light rail project. Contributed

Nexus is led by international investment and development company Plenary Group, which has handled more than $14 billion of projects across the Asia Pacific and the Americas.

It is responsible for the $1 billion Gold Coast light rail project currently under way.

Australian-based Leighton Contractors pilots the RangeConnect consortium.

The company aims to draw upon its experience in the mining, infrastructure, telecommunications and energy industries to win the lucrative contract.

Leighton Construction took on the $2.12 billion Gateway Upgrade project in Brisbane, which was completed in 2011. Contributed

Queensland Treasurer Tim Nicholls said geotechnical and preparatory work would start in the coming months.

The winning consortium will not be named until June next year, with detailed proposals due for submission early next year.

"We have an outstanding field of consortia and a healthy level of competition to reinforce innovation and value for money in the design, construction, financing, operation, and maintenance of the road," Mr Nicholls said.

Members of the RangeLink partnership were chosen for their capabilities across a range of industries.

"Bouygues are expert builders of tunnels, bridges and roads. Fulton Hogan has a lot of experience in things like asphalt and road construction," Wagners director Denis Wagner said.

Egis Projects Asia Pacific is on board as toll road operator.

RangeLink consortium head Bouygues Construction built the Sydney Olympic Stadium. Contributed

Meridiam RangeLink is the equity partner responsible for financially backing the project.

"We're very pleased that we've been selected to bid on the project," Mr Wagner said.

Construction is due for completion in mid to late-2018.

Then there were three:

Nexus

• Plenary Group


• Acciona Infrastructure Australia


• Samsung C&T Corporation


• Acciona Concesiones


• Transfield Services

RangeConnect

• Leighton Contractors


• Thiess


• Macquarie Capital


• Leighton Holdings


• Leighton Contractor Investment Partners


• Aberdeen Infrastructure Funds

RangeLink

• Bouygues Construction Australia


• Fulton Hogan Construction


• Wagners Quarries


• Meridiam RangeLink


• Fulton Hogan Industries


• Egis Projects Asia Pacific