Project Description

North East Link Project (NELP) is the overarching project that will connect the M80 Ring Road at Greensborough with the Eastern Freeway at Bulleen. The rail interface component to the project was delivered by Metro Trains Melbourne. Package 1C of the project encompassed Signalling upgrades between Macleod and Greensborough:

• Provision of all new main and local CSR assets, including interfacing to existing CSR as required.

• Provision of all new signalling assets and modifications to existing signalling assets as required.

• Delivery of new signalling power upgrades.

• Provision of maintenance access platforms, pathways, driveways, access roads, structures and fencing as required.

• Provision and commissioning of new active pedestrian crossing.

• T&C all new and/or modified power, signalling, communications, train control systems and associated assets.

• Overall delivery and management of the project as Principal Contractor.

• Management of all interfacing parties to support the delivery of project scope including obtaining of all necessary permits and approvals. 

• Decommissioning and disposal of redundant and obsolete signalling, power, track and CSR assets (redundant rail systems).

Our Scope

JBE as the Principle Contractor for delivery of Package 1C scope of works was responsible for delivering the Civil, CSR, Signalling Construction and Testing & Commissioning from start to finish. Our scope of works involved the following.

Principle Contractor requirements for the duration of the project

• Site safety management for all subcontractors and third parties

• Occupation management

• Environmental and sustainability requirements

Construction 4.5km of all new main and local Combined Services Route this included a combination of:

• 2.5km of trenched and bored CSR

• 2km of above ground GST cable route

• Combination of trenched / bored UTXs

Civil construction to support new signalling assets:

• Retaining walls to support Axle Counter GAKs, Signals, Maintenance Access ways

• Complete re-build of Wattle Drive Pedestrian crossing 

Construction of all new signalling assets between the project boundary, this included:

• Installation of 30km of new multicore LV and HV cable to connect new signalling assets

• Manufacture, assembly and installation of new Signals

• Installation of new Axle Counters and Trainstops

• Upgrade of Macleod Relay Room to support installation of new Westrace MKII CBI

• Installation of new Axle Counter and Westrace Zone Boxes

• Installation of new Xiria switchgear and upgrade of signalling power distribution system from 2.2kv to 3.3kv

• Installation of new pedestrian crossing equipment to convert Wattle Drive Pedestrian crossing from passive to active

• Decommissioning and removal of redundant infrastructure

Testing and Commissioning delivery including:

• Strategy development to minimise risk during major commissioning

• Occupation support to provide asset isolations for all construction occupations

• Pre-testing of new signalling system prior to commissioning

• T&C of new system in major commissioning event

Key Achievements

All scope of works were delivered successfully over 13 occupations. This included two extended major occupations; a 45 day occupation for Civil & CSR works and a 19 day occupation for final commissioning.

Signalling power commissioning 3 months prior to main commissioning event allowing pre-testing to be completed with final power.

90% of construction completed prior to the commissioning event which allowed testing of new Axle counter system in shadow mode for 2 months. This allowed the team to go into the commissioning event with confidence.