Tenders called for railway underpass design

Gosford Council has called tenders for the detailed design of a rail underpass to replace the Rawson Rd level crossing.

Key features of the design include a rail underpass from Woy Woy Rd to Nagari Rd, and the provision of two travel lanes in each direction with on-road cycle lane and footpaths on Woy Woy Rd between Banyo Close and Nagari Rd.

A new bridge would span Woy Woy Creek at Correa Bay, and the existing Rawson Rd railway level crossing would be replaced with a pedestrian and cyclist underpass at Rawson Rd.

The council has estimated the cost of the works at $67 million.

Council was awarded a $1 million grant in September last year to undertake the design, with the promise of future funding for construction with an upper limit of $30 million in the current term of the State Government.

The May 1 council meeting was told that geotechnical and traffic investigations had been undertaken as well as a flora and fauna survey and assessment.

The report stated: "A strategic design has been developed for the Woy Woy Rd to Railway St link which includes an underpass of the railway line at the base of Bulls Hill and the closure of the Rawson Rd level crossing.

"The alignment is based on the options endorsed by Council at its meeting held on 24 February 1999 following a period of public consultation.

"It should be noted that Council also endorsed a further option for future detailed assessment that would eliminate the steep grades and severe curves along Woy Woy Rd near Bulls Hill by providing a new realignment through the Brisbane Water National Park.

"This option has not been pursued future due to the significant cost and time required in developing a project within the National Park.

"However should Council wish to pursue this option in the future the location of the proposed railway underpass would be ideal as a suitable point to cross the railway line."

The council meeting was told that a Community and Stakeholder Consultation Plan had been prepared.

"It is proposed to commence providing information to the community in the coming months on the status of the project and to engage relevant sections of the community that will be impacted by these works."

Tenders for the detailed design have been called through the Local Government Procurement Process for Civil Engineering Design Consultants.

"It is anticipated that a design consultant will be engaged by June 2012 and will take approximately 18 months to complete the detailed design plans to allow tenders to be called for construction to commence in 2014."

Gosford Council Agenda CIT.17, 1 May

Photo: Naomi Bridges