The McConnell Dowell Decmil Joint Venture was awarded the contract to design and construct the Mordialloc Freeway in Melbourne’s south east.
The Mordialloc Freeway comprises a new 9 kilometre freeway and multiple bridges, connecting the Mornington Peninsula Freeway in Aspendale Gardens to the Dingley Bypass in Dingley Village, improving connectivity in Melbourne’s southeast.
The project was delivered four weeks ahead of schedule while setting new industry benchmarks in sustainability and workplace mental health management. Renowned as Australia’s greenest freeway, greener materials and construction practices were used to build the Freeway.
Awards
Decmil, alongside our client Major Road Projects Victoria and our joint venture partner McConnell Dowell, won the 2022 Contractor Excellence Award, which was awarded by Infrastructure Partnerships Australia – National Infrastructure Awards.
The project was also commended for achieving excellence in environmental outcomes. The Infrastructure Sustainability Council awarded the project with Excellence in Environmental Outcomes Award for 2022.
Scope of Work
The design component of this project included roadworks design and ground improvement treatments; structural design and design of drainage; landscaping and architecture; traffic operations; noise attenuation; street lighting; signs and pavement markings and temporary works.
The project scope of works included earthworks, roadworks construction and construction of bridges, retaining walls and barriers. The project included installation of traffic operation systems such as traffic signals, street lighting and CCTV.
Sustainability
The project made significant effort in innovating new technologies to divert waste away from landfill. Significant focus was placed on reduced truck trips, local sourcing and recycling.
In a world first, the noise walls for the Mordialloc Freeway have been made from 75% recycled plastic. The 32,000 square metres of noise walls contains more than 570 tonnes of waste. The project also includes 44% of recycled asphalt, 97% recycled road base and recycled plastic drainage pipes.
This project demonstrated the potential cost benefits of improvised sustainability practices while supporting development and scale-up of local industry.
Participation
Exceptional outcomes were delivered for the Mordialloc Project, with many economic and social benefits provided for the broader community. Many initiatives were explored and implemented, from creating jobs for people in disadvantaged segments of the community to supporting local and Aboriginal businesses. All state requirements for the Mordialloc Freeway were exceeded.
- As part of the Project’s social procurement commitments, various local businesses that employ people in disadvantaged segments of the community were engaged to provide their services. This included Vets in Construction, Ability Works, OC Connection Enterprises and Yarra View Nursery.
- Aboriginal business spend on the Mordialloc Freeway project totalled $4.3 million.
- The project engaged and embraced the three Traditional Owner Groups aligned to the Mordialloc Freeway Project. A Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country was conducted, and a Cultural Understanding program was rolled out. Signs acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land and waterways which surrounded the project were installed at each project entry point.
- Goal Indigenous Services were engaged on the Project to assist with Aboriginal employment on the Project. Goal assisted with coordinating and facilitating quality training and work ready candidates for employment on the Project, including Apprentices.