Regional Rail Link (RRL) is a new major rail line, providing capacity for enough extra trains for thousands of more passengers across the Melbourne and country rail networks in peak periods. RRL runs from West Werribee to Deer Park and along the existing rail corridor through suburbs including Sunshine and Footscray to Melbourne’s principal terminus, Southern Cross Station.
The Situation
The objective of RRL is to separate regional trains from metropolitan trains - giving Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat trains their own dedicated tracks through the suburban system from Sunshine to Southern Cross Station, increasing capacity and reliability. It also frees up much needed space for additional suburban services on the Werribee, Sunbury and Craigieburn lines.
The project includes:
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A new set of dedicated regional tracks - allowing regional services to run directly into Melbourne and not be caught up with the growing number of suburban services
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Two new stations at Wyndham Vale and Tarneit
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Two new platforms at Southern Cross Station
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Construction of a new rail bridge over the Maribyrnong River
The project is being delivered under a variety of procurement methods, including:
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Package A - Southern Cross Station platform 15/16 activation - delivered by the rail operator (Metro Trains Melbourne)
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Package B - Southern Cross Station to Footscray, crossing the Maribyrnong River - Alliance
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Package C - Footscray to Sunshine - Alliance
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Package D - Sunshine to Deer Park including the Ballarat line intersection - delivered by the rail operator (V/Line)
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Package E - Deer Park (Ballarat line intersection) to West Werribee Junction - Design and Construct
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Package F - West Werribee Junction Geelong Line interchange works - Design and Construct
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Package G – Project-wide train control, signaling, communications, information communication technology and power supply - Alliance
Approach
When the Department of Transport (DOT) received funding for the RRL project, Advisian was asked to provide key personnel to lead the delivery of certain sections of the project, and to support other aspects.
This involved working with the DOT to:
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Further develop the original business case
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Agree the functional requirements for the whole of the project
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Develop the ‘Scope of Work’ documents to meet the functional needs of the rail operators
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Procure a major design joint venture to develop the concept designs
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Develop the procurement strategy which resulted in the project being delivered in seven separate packages, three alliances, two ‘Design and Construct’ contracts and two sections being delivered by the individual rail operators
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Developing the reference designs, ‘Scope of Work’ documentation and contract documentation for each package
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Assisting with the development of the master programs for the project
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Setting up management systems and high-level project management plans for delivery
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Community consultation during the land acquisition process.
As part of this role Advisian provided ongoing constructability advice, programming, risk management and cost estimating services. This includes providing an independent review of tunnelling and surface options for the Footscray section of the RRL project, from both a technical and commercial perspective.
Results
Advisian added value to the project by providing key personnel, experienced in the management of technical and commercial risks associated with delivering new major rail infrastructure in an urban environment.
The procurement of the RRL is being delivered under seven separate packages - three alliances, two ‘Design and Construct’ contracts and two packages being delivered by the individual rail operators. For the first time in Victoria, the alliances are being delivered as competitive alliances, where two proponents are shortlisted for each individual alliance package and they both develop a competitive total outturn cost.
In 2014, the Regional Rail Link project won the Infrastructure Partnerships Australia Project of the Year award.
