ARM on the road

Southern Way has formed a unique partnership with the McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park which will culminate in a major sculpture being installed at the Peninsula Link/EastLink interchange – or the Peninsula Portal as it will be known.

In a first for a road project in Victoria, two other sculpture pieces will be rotated every four years based on the winners of a bi-annual sculpture competition. This will provide a great opportunity to showcase the McClelland Gallery and to support the thriving arts community on the Peninsula.

ARM has designed three different styles of noise wall panels for the project. Mostly located in the northern half of Peninsula Link, the ‘text type’ noise walls (pictured) will feature place names from the local area, while along the route a ‘geology’ pattern will also be visible on some walls inspired by rock formations or impressions left in sand. Finally, oxidised steel panels in a zigzag pattern will complement suburban roof tops in the distance.

Work is underway on Melbourne’s newest freeway project after Victorian Premier John Brumby and Roads Minister Tim Pallas turned the first sod on the $759 million toll-free Peninsula Link in mid-February. Early works started last July and now Southern Way, along with its construction contractor Abigroup, has started on the main works.

Further information on the Peninsula Link can be found on the Linking Melbourne website.

Southern Way wins Peninsula Link bid

Southern Way consortium, comprising Abigroup, Bilfinger Berger and the Royal Bank of Scotland, has been awarded the contract to build and deliver the $759 million toll-free Peninsula Link project, Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas announced last Friday. ARM, together with Urbis provided the successful design response for the winning competiton bid.

Key features of the Peninsula Link project include:
- A huge construction task including 27 kilometres of freeway standard road, 11 local road connections, more than 35 bridges and 18,000m² of retaining walls;
- A contemporary urban design that considers both drivers and the community with particular care taken through sensitive areas like the Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve;
- A 22 kilometre walking and cycling path starting in Patterson Lakes and connecting with other popular paths in the area;
- A partnership with the McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park that will see a major sculpture at the Peninsula Link/EastLink interchange and the winner of a bi-annual sculpture competition being displayed along the project;
- Planting of around 1.5 million plants, shrubs and trees along the freeway corridor to improve the environment; and
- A partnership with the Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies (CERES) to teach local school children about environmental initiatives.