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The Wedgefield Route 1 Reconstruction project in Port Hedland, Western Australia, is a critical upgrade supporting one of the Pilbara’s busiest industrial precincts. Funded by the Australian Government under the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program, the project was designed to improve safety, efficiency and reliability for heavy vehicle movements servicing local industry.

Works included upgrades to key intersections at Moorambine Street and Schillaman Street with Peawah Street, widening and strengthening approximately 580 metres of road to an 11-metre carriageway, and installing over 750 metres of drainage infrastructure to improve flood resilience. Pavement and intersection upgrades were designed to meet current standards and accommodate Restricted Access Vehicle (RAV) movements, creating a safer and more reliable freight route.

RP Infrastructure was engaged by the Town of Port Hedland to provide project management and contract administration services. Our team supported delivery through a combination of on-site and remote involvement, maintaining strong oversight of program, cost, quality and risk while working closely with the client and contractor in a live industrial environment.

 

The challenge

Delivering infrastructure within an active industrial precinct required careful coordination to maintain access for businesses and ensure safe movement of heavy vehicles, including road trains and multi-combination vehicles.

The project also presented a range of technical and delivery challenges, including:

• Excavation in close proximity to high-voltage power assets
• Conflicts between design and existing underground services, including unidentified utilities
• Delays in relocation of existing services
• Latent ground conditions, including unexpected groundwater
• The need to maintain continuous road access or provide viable alternatives
• Operating within the constraints of a local government budget, requiring strong cost control

Balancing these challenges while maintaining program certainty and stakeholder alignment was critical to successful delivery.

 

Delivering safer, more resilient roads while keeping industry moving

We worked closely with the Town of Port Hedland and the contractor to develop a practical, staged delivery approach that maintained access and minimised disruption to local industry.

Our team provided end-to-end project management and contract administration, supporting all phases of delivery — from pre-mobilisation planning through to construction completion. This included construction oversight, quality and compliance monitoring, schedule and budget management, and independent assessment of contractor progress claims, variations and delay claims.

Through clear governance processes and consistent communication, we enabled strong coordination between the Town, contractor and stakeholders. Early identification and resolution of risks, design conflicts and service clashes helped maintain program and avoid escalation.

Construction staging and traffic management were continuously adapted to ensure business continuity in a live industrial environment, maintaining access for properties and heavy vehicle movements throughout.

This approach resulted in:

• Works delivered in alignment with the Town’s program, maintaining continuous industrial and property access through staged construction
• Proactive risk and issue management enabling early identification and efficient resolution of design, scope and construction matters
• Improved coordination and communication across all stakeholders
• Independent assessment of contractor claims and variations, providing clear, evidence-based advice on contractual entitlements
• Enhanced safety, drainage performance and long-term asset resilience

The demonstrated outcomes from this project are transferable across remote locations. RPI successfully managed the project through a combination of on-site presence and remote delivery, supported by structured processes and skilled, experienced personnel. Our understanding of both project management and civil infrastructure enabled us to provide the Town of Port Hedland with robust project management support, including cost and scope certification, while maintaining close collaboration with the client and contractor.

 

“The team provided clear advice and worked collaboratively with all stakeholders to keep the project moving. Their ability to manage challenges while maintaining access for industry was key to the project’s success.”

— Gurpreet Bamrah, Senior Project Officer, Town of Port Hedland

 

Find out more: Contact our team Leigh Bosworth