A joint venture (JV) between Gamuda and BMD Constructions Pty Ltd has been invited by the New South Wales (NSW) Government to tender for the M6 Stage 1 motorway, costing around A$2.6 billion.

According to a statement by NSW state government, successful applicants from a 2019 Expression of Interest to design and construct the M6 Stage 1 project will be invited to tender, including the Gamuda-BMD JV, Acciona-Samsung JV and CPB-Ghella JV.

NSW’s Minister for Roads Andrew Constance said the project, which will allow motorists to bypass up to 23 sets of traffic lights on the Princes Highway and take up to 2,000 heavy vehicles off surface roads per day, will create around 5,300 jobs.

“We know many workers, contractors and sub-contractors are doing it tough during this challenging period, and the start of works on the M6 Stage 1 will be a major boost for the construction industry.

“In NSW there are almost 400,000 people employed in property and construction, and we are committed to keeping as many of them in work as possible,” said Constance.

“The construction of the M6 Stage 1 will create thousands of new jobs and support families across Sydney,” he added.

Mr Yew-Weng Yee, Executive Director, Gamuda Australia, said: “In May 2019, Gamuda opened its doors in Australia to participate in open tenders for infrastructure and construction projects.

“Since then, we have been on a journey of investment and growth. If we are successful in our bid for the M6 Stage 1, we will recruit and train thousands of Australians to participate in underground tunnelling works which will leave an engineering legacy in New South Wales,” said Yee.