Project Overview
Tradetech Services Australia (TSA) delivered civil, structural, electrical and communications infrastructure supporting the Warrnambool and Geelong Line Upgrade as part of the $1.75 billion Regional Rail Revival program for Rail Projects Victoria. Working initially with Downer Transport Projects (now Gamuda), TSA constructed enabling infrastructure for new rail signalling control systems at Warrnambool, Warncoort, Waurn Ponds and Boorcan. All works were undertaken within an operational rail corridor while maintaining uninterrupted operation of existing signalling and utility services.
Scope of Works
TSA delivered structural slabs and foundations for demountable rail signalling control buildings installed within the rail easement. Civil works included trenching, benching and service pit construction for electrical and communications infrastructure, along with trenchless rail crossings to install Combined Services Routes (CSR). Additional works included switchboard slabs, structural footings for communications poles, drainage installations and security fence plinths. All enabling infrastructure was delivered to support VicTrack’s connection and commissioning of the upgraded rail signalling system.
Delivery Methodology
Works were delivered within a live rail corridor under strict VicTrack safety and compliance requirements. Detailed asset investigations and coordination with Downer engineers informed construction sequencing and service routing. Activities included deep trenching, shoring, trenchless rail crossings and structural works within constrained rail easements. TSA maintained rigorous pre-start planning, ongoing risk assessments and proactive stakeholder coordination to safely manage interfaces with concurrent contractors and ensure all works were completed ahead of scheduled occupation and signalling cutover periods.
Outcome
TSA successfully delivered the enabling infrastructure required to support the upgraded rail signalling control system across multiple locations. Works included construction of structural slabs, crane installation of control buildings, communications pole installation, switchboard infrastructure, communications cabling installation and mechanical services preparation. All works were delivered safely within a live rail environment and in compliance with VicTrack standards, providing ready-for-cutover assets that enabled the transition to the upgraded rail signalling network.
Key Civil and Building Construction Activities
- Investigations: Existing asset investigation activities central to validating the best for project location for the new electricity and communications installation. This includes identification risks and mitigation strategies.
- Benching and trenching: Deep trenching including shoring/ benching, large pit construction activities and general drainage and bunding. Entry and exist cross over. Boring (trenchless) under the rail tracks to connect the electricity and communications cables for the Combined Services Routs (CSR) works. VicTrack and Downer connected the new services and controls systems once our works were complete.
- Foundations: Installation of foundations for buildings, structural footings for new communication towers, concrete slabs for the new switchboards. Concrete plinth around the base of the security fence.
Complexities
- Existing services and unknowns associated with a brownfield site with aged rail and utility assets.
- The building infrastructure requirements were unique to the specific assets, requiring close liaison with the Downer team and their engineers in order to forward plan our resourcing and construction activities.
- Navigating complex requirements and standards associated with live rail network construction activities. Ensuring safety of our people within this environment through enhanced diligence with pre-starts, risks assessment and mitigation planning and ongoing high awareness at each stage of delivery.
- Exploring constructability solutions to mitigate emerging risks, hazards or program timeline complexities
- Concurrent works delivery and interface points with diverse subcontractors working within the site. We adopt early engagement and collaboration on interface risk assessment and procedures to mitigate.
