The Civil Contractors Federation WA says the contractor delivering the Smart Freeways project has been unfairly targeted following a delay in reopening lanes for traffic on the Kwinana Freeway Monday morning.

CCF WA CEO Andy Graham said it was disappointing to see commentary questioning the competence of the contractor, BMD Constructions.

“This company has delivered many billions of dollars’ worth of major road projects all around Australia over the past decade,” Mr Graham said.

“BMD is an experienced and highly competent road contractor. That’s why they’ve been entrusted with delivering the Smart Freeways project and other current freeway widenings in Perth – projects so complex and challenging that very few contractors were even willing to bid on them.

“There has been some suggestion that the contractor should receive a financial penalty for Monday’s events. There’s a very good reason that won’t happen.

“The Smart Freeways project is without doubt one of the most complex, high-risk projects ever undertaken by Main Roads. For that reason, the Government chose to deliver the project under an alliance agreement, where Main Roads, the contractor and design consultants work together collaboratively in a ‘no fault, no blame’ framework.

“On Sunday night, the unexpected happened, as so often does on risky and complex brownfields road projects. An existing cracked drainage pipe had the potential to create a sinkhole in the Freeway. The Alliance moved quickly to excavate and fill the area with quick-set concrete – the works were planned to ensure there was enough time allowed so that the concrete could gain sufficient strength prior to opening to traffic. Unfortunately, the concrete didn’t set as intended and the result was a frustrating delay for motorists. Despite that, the contractor acted reasonably to remove and replace the patch safely based on their vast experience.”

Mr Graham said the State Government’s ambitious infrastructure agenda was transforming Perth’s transport networks.

“It’s worth reminding ourselves why these works are being undertaken,” he said. “Without them, our growing city will soon grind to a halt every morning. Four years ago, an Infrastructure Australia report warned that without action, Perth’s major road arteries would be the most congested in Australia by 2031, causing massive ongoing congestion and costing the economy billions of dollars in lost productivity. These upgrades are essential, and unfortunately it’s inevitable they will cause some inconvenience. However, we’ll benefit for many years to come.”