ALTHOUGH works on the Mandurah Road footbridge’s arches is still dormant, despite the June 30 deadline, a City spokesperson said the project was still within the timeframe allocated.
The steel arches were due to be raised in April, after they were delivered from a Chinese factory and assembled on site in March.
When asked for an update on the construction at the May 19 Mandurah council meeting, the manager of projects advised while a date to lift the arches was yet to be determined, the June 30 completion date had remained unchanged.
And when the Mandurah Mail asked for an update on the bridge at the beginning of June, a City spokesperson said the bridge was still expected to be completed on time.
In spite of this, the City remains adamant the works being carried out are still within the construction timeframe allowed.
When asked what the construction timeframe was, the City spokesperson failed to answer.
“Although the arches are yet to be lifted, there has been a number of works occurring onsite, including the construction of the ramps,” a City spokesperson said.
“The lift dates are currently being rescheduled and is subject to satisfactory bridge lifting conditions.
“Further information will be provided as soon as possible.
“We continue to work hard on this project, which has included the ongoing implementation of a robust quality assurance process.
“Every effort is being made by the City to ensure this project is realised as soon as possible.”
The footbridge is intended to provide safe and convenient pedestrian and cyclist access between the east and west sides of Mandurah Road and the Mandurah train station.
“It will improve community connectivity by delivering a safe and accessible passage for pedestrians to access education and health facilities, as well as the future Central Park development which includes the provision of affordable housing close to the train station,” the City spokesperson said.
Council entered into a guaranteed maximum price of $6.026 million with contractors McConnell Dowell Constructors last year, which means the extra cost associated with the dormant arches will not be passed on to the City.
Mandurah MLA David Templeman said he had been contacted by local residents and industry representatives with regard to the footbridge project’s progress.
“The concern I have is the longer the bridge sits there, the more sceptical people get,” he said.
“I think it raises questions about the integrity of the structure and the contract.
“The contractor should be answering questions on why it’s taking so long.”
McConnell Dowell Constructors declined to comment on the issue, requesting all questions be directed to the City.
