The tender for the design and construction of the depot site for the fully electric Brisbane Metro has been released with four construction companies now to bid for the contract.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the Brisbane Metro depot at Rochedale is a critical part of delivering the turn-up-and go public transport system, with 165 jobs to be created purely from the depot construction, as part of 2600 jobs created overall by the project.
“The Brisbane Metro depot will be one of the largest and most technologically advanced in Australia, housing 60 state-of-the-art electric Metro vehicles and world-class charging infrastructure,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Releasing the tender for the design and construction of the depot is an exciting milestone and we have four construction companies shortlisted and ready to bid for this competitive contract.
“Every contender has a presence here in Brisbane which is great news for local jobs and will deliver a major boost to our economy as it works to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.”
Early works at the Brisbane Metro depot, on School Road at Rochedale, commenced last year and are continuing throughout 2020 to ensure the site is ready for construction. Major works are expected to begin in mid-2021 with completion by 2023.
The land at Rochedale was strategically purchased to future proof the depot to ensure it can be developed further as Brisbane Metro expands to other areas of Brisbane, including out to Brisbane Airport.
Cr Schrinner said while the Request for Tender for the depot site gets underway, early works were continuing at South Brisbane.
“Sewer relocation works at South Brisbane have been underway for many months now and the final intersection upgrade at Peel and Grey streets in South Brisbane is nearing completion,” he said.
“This project is playing a vital role in driving Brisbane’s economic recovery by creating 2600 employment opportunities for local contractors and suppliers.
Stage 1 of Brisbane Metro will provide a 21-kilometre service connecting 18 stations along dedicated busways between Eight Mile Plains and Roma Street, and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and University of Queensland. Stage 2 may see services expanded to Carindale in the South East and to Chermside and the Airport in the North.