The quality of a guest speaker is measured by the number of Rotarians who fall asleep or who start fidgeting or who keep checking their smartphone during the presentation. It is also based on the number of questions that are asked at the end. Graeme Symonds must have been good because every member remained wide awake and were hanging on every word he had to say. Further, after his formal presentation, the questions kept coming because people wanted to know more about the project that Graeme is managing.
Graeme is Network Director for a British-based organisation called NetFlow. They were recently awarded a 20-year, $1.8 billion contract to take over from VicRoads to construct new road infrastructure in the west and to maintain a number of major roads. Their main customer is the City of Wyndham.
Graeme said he was shocked by the state of the roads in Melbourne's west and he is confident that we will see some major improvements within a few years.
The initial focus is to design and construct eight structures such as overpasses in areas such as Doherty's Rd, Sayers Rd and the Duncan's Rd Interchange. These 8 projects are all planned to be completed with the next 2 years. Another component of their contract is rehabilitation of 8 existing bridges/overpasses. On top of that, they will spend the next 20 years providing enhanced maintenance on key roads in the west. In 2042, they will then hand it all back to VicRoads.
Graeme has asked us to be tolerant of the work they are about to start. He says there will be some short-term pain on the roads for much long-term gain. But, to minimise congestion and frustration, a considerable amount of this work will be done overnight. So, very shortly, we will see NetFlow's distinctive and highly visible equipment and staff working around the west. He emphasised that, during their current recruitment process, they are focused on employing people who live in the west.
Graeme said that his company has tendered for similar contracts in Melbourne's north and south-east.
Click here to view a video of the work that will be undertaken.