Expression of Interest (EOI) to Operate and Maintain the M5 East Freeway

The Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW is inviting contractors to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to operate and maintain the M5 East Freeway following the completion of the existing contract in December 2011.

The M5 East Freeway links the M5 Motorway at Beverly Hills with General Holmes Drive at Sydney Airport and on to the Eastern Distributor. The M5 was widened from two to four lanes between Fairford Road and King Georges Road to assist traffic flow. A four-lane carriageway extending from Canberra and Bookham (west of Yass) to Sydney CBD was then created when the M5 East opened.

The M5 East Freeway is 9 kilometres in length and includes twin four kilometre tunnels and a 550 metre tunnel under the Cooks River. The M5 East is an important link in the Sydney Orbital network.

The M5 East significantly improves access between south western Sydney, the city, and the major industrial and commercial areas of South Sydney.

Vehicles can enter and/or exit the freeway at seven locations – King Georges Road, Kingsgrove Road, Bexley Road, Princes Highway, West Botany Street, Marsh Street and General Holmes Drive.

Off-road shared path facilities extend from King Georges Road to Bexley Road. The shared path is linked to local cycle routes.

Pedestrians and cyclists can cross the freeway via underpasses at Beverly Grove Park, Karingal Street, Arinya Street, Lundy Street and at four crossing points at King Georges Road, Cooloongatta Road, Kingsgrove Road and Bexley Road.

The speed limit on the freeway is 90 kilometres per hour between King Georges Road and the start of the main tunnel at Bexley Road, and 80 kilometres per hour for the rest of the freeway.

A key feature of the M5 East is twin 4 kilometre, two-lane tunnels between Bexley Road, Earlwood and Marsh Street, Arncliffe.

The freeway has reduced traffic congestion in residential areas, improved traffic flow and removed heavy vehicles from key local roads, with safety, noise and air pollution benefits for the community.

The RTA is inviting submissions from organisations that have the relevant experience in undertaking operation and maintenance services (comparable scale) of roads and road tunnels in a major city and to Australian road authority standards or equivalent.

The organisation to provide operation and maintenance services will be selected through a two stage process.  The first stage is an EOI, with up to 3 organisations shortlisted and invited to submit a tender.  The second stage is expected to include the submission of detailed tenders by those shortlisted applicants, and a detailed evaluation of tenders. The call for Expression of Interest closes on the 3rd November.