Media Release: More local contracts, more local jobs on Northern Connector project
The Northern Connector Project continues to deliver for local businesses and workers with the completion of a concrete batching plant set to provide further employment opportunities as construction of the $885 million project continues.
Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher said when fully operational, the facility would generate the majority of the 223,000 cubic metres of concrete required for the project, creating at least 40 extra jobs and contributing an estimated additional $11 million to local industry.
“This is just one way the Northern Connector is delivering for the South Australian economy. The new six-lane, 15.5-kilometre motorway will create a free-flowing link between the Northern Expressway and the South Road Superway – reducing congestion, improving safety and catering for future traffic growth,” Mr Fletcher said.
“The use of concrete pavement on this project is expected to halve the ongoing maintenance costs of the Northern Connector, reduce heavy vehicle running costs and improve efficiency of the local freight network.
“The project is part of the North-South Corridor package which the Australian Government has committed to completing over the next decade to better connect the Port of Adelaide, Adelaide Airport, the Islington intermodal terminal and other freight terminals.”
South Australian Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Stephen Mullighan said the Northern Connector project will deliver local jobs, with South Australian business Adelaide Brighton Limited awarded the contract to supply all the raw materials for the concrete road.
“Liberty OneSteel will also provide reinforcing steel for the project with approximately 6,500 tonnes of high-quality steel rods to be sourced from the Whyalla steelworks, while Boral has also been awarded a contract to supply asphalt and quarry products to be sourced from South Australian quarries,” Mr Mullighan.
“In total, the three contracts are valued at more than $60 million. The Northern Connector project is supporting approximately 480 jobs a year during construction, with at least half of all jobs to be filled by northern suburbs residents.
“To date, 16 former auto industry workers are among the 346 employees now working on the project.”
More information is available on the Northern Connector website, while job opportunities on the project are available on the NorthHub website.
The Australian Government has committed up to $708 million to the $885 million project in partnership with the South Australian Government. Construction is due for completion in late 2019.
