The gold rating means Tonkin Gap Alliance (TGA) has successfully adopted sustainable approaches to drive governance, economic, environmental and social outcomes in the design phase of the project.

Main Roads Project Director Rob Arnott congratulated the TGA team on the achievement.

“The entire team deserves this accolade for its excellent and dedicated approach to sustainability,” he said.

“The team has consistently demonstrated a willingness to innovate and deliver results that enhance sustainability.”

Tonkin Gap Alliance director Peter Hopfmueller said the team is very pleased to achieve a ‘Gold’ design rating.

“Tonkin Gap Alliance is committed to delivering an asset that meets the expectations of community and stakeholders, with a focus on sustainable outcomes and construction methodologies, as well as innovative technologies wherever possible." he said.

“One example of innovation on the project was the removal of a temporary pier in the Swan River by extending the launch girder, to what was the largest launch girder used in Australia to date. By doing this, it enabled the team to incrementally launch the bridge over the Swan River with very minimal impact to the river, which is a significant heritage listed site.”

A launch girder is a machine used to lift and assemble prefabricated concrete segments. The segments are then slid horizontally on bearings using hydraulics.

TGA is currently working towards the ‘As Built’ rating submission, with construction of the Tonkin Gap section on track for completion late-2023.

The IS rating scheme was developed and is administered by ISC. It is Australia and New Zealand’s only comprehensive rating system for evaluating sustainability across design, construction and operation of infrastructure.