WSP, in Joint Venture with GHD, provided technical and environmental advisory services for this complex project’s development and approval. Our services included technical studies and advice on safety aspects of aviation design.
According to Peter Letts, Project Director, “Working with and assisting Transport for NSW (Transport)’s client team was WSP’s major focus. Our experienced leaders walked in the client’s shoes, actively sharing our expertise and readily offering ongoing advice.”
The Joint Venture team also worked with Transport to have a streamlined first-time approach for NSW to deal with the overlapping state and federal planning requirements. We combined the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and preliminary draft Major Development Plan (MDP) as one document and met both jurisdictions’ planning approval needs.
WSP developed the concept design during 2018, and in mid-2019 finished the reference design. The challenging design work dealt with multiple constraints in and around Sydney Airport. Being so close to the Alexandra Canal meant designers had to understand and address flooding. They also had to avoid impacting the Port Botany Rail line, avoid encroaching on the airport’s airspace, and either avoid, protect or relocate multiple major utility services along Qantas Drive. The reference design included several bridges, structures and viaducts which gave Transport and key stakeholders a safe, efficient design that accommodated all constraints.
Peter Letts felt that our successful client relations helped Transport develop confidence in our technical team. He said “Client Feedback and Contractor Performance Reports consistently rated our team very highly. Comments noted our valuable advice and support that helped team members navigate complex challenges.”
Transport has extended our services to provide technical support to the client delivery team until 2022.
What’s Next?
Sydney Gateway will provide the missing link between Sydney Airport’s international and domestic terminals and Sydney’s motorway network via the new WestConnex St Peters Interchange. It will ease congestion around Sydney Airport, reduce travel times, and improve access to the precinct’s employment areas.
Once finished, the Sydney Gateway will:
- Transport 100,000 vehicles a day, catering for forecast growth in passenger and air freight.
- Provide extra capacity by widening Qantas Drive from two to three lanes in each direction.
- Reduce cars and trucks on local roads – returning local streets to local communities.
- Improve travel times to the airport precinct and Port Botany.
- Provide more open space and new recreation facilities at Tempe Lands for the local communities.
- Deliver nearly three kilometres of new pedestrian and cycling paths.
