DJ MacCormick will partner with local firm Humes to complete tunnelling and under-boring work for Townsville’s $215 million Haughton Pipeline Duplication Project.

The works include tunnel boring to install the new 1.8m diameter pipeline under a section of the Flinders Highway and the Townsville-to-Mount Isa rail line.

Mayor Jenny Hill announed the contract award today, saying the specialist work was crucial to the pipeline project.

“This is very technical work and it must be done in a way to ensure there is no disturbance to the Flinders Highway or the rail line,” Cr Hill said.

“Although a very small section of the pipeline will go underneath the highway and the rail line, it will require a lot of skill and technical expertise to do the job without causing any inconvenience to motorists or freight.”

It follows the start of civil works on the pipeline corridor earlier this month by contractor the Mendi Group.

Cr Hill said council was committed to delivering the new pipeline by the end of next year.

“This is council’s top infrastructure priority and it will be completed by December 2019,” Cr Hill said.

Cr Hill said the pipeline project was one of the biggest job-creating projects in North Queensland.

“Council has made sure the work packages on the pipeline are broken up to ensure local businesses have the best possible opportunity to win work on the project,” Cr Hill said.

“This is a huge project and everyone from excavator operators to engineers has a chance to be part of it.

“The pipeline is a key plank of Council’s record infrastructure spend of $433 million in the Budget.”