The seven best civil and commercial construction projects in Australia have been unveiled.

The Australian Constructors Association and Engineers Australia have announced the finalist projects for their 2025 Australian Construction Achievement Awards.

The awards showcase projects which not only demonstrate excellence in design and construction but which also have a positive effect on shaping a progressive and sustainable construction industry.

In no order of preference, the projects are as follows:

 

(1) METRONET Morefely – Ellenbrook Line

Located in Perth’s northeastern suburbs, the METRONET Morefely – Ellenbrook Line is part of the METRONET program, which is claimed by the Western Australian Government to be the single largest investment in public transport that the Western Australian capital city has ever seen and involves delivery of 72 kilometres of new passenger rail and 23 stations.

Specifically, the project has delivered 21km of new rail line and has provided those living in Perth’s northern suburbs with easy and efficient access to train services along with a 30-minute commute into the CBD.

The project involved the construction of two major rail viaducts measuring 900 and 300 metres, three new intersections, two road bridges, one rail bridge, and a rail tunnel. Additionally, three pedestrian underpasses, two fauna underpasses, and 150,000 railway sleepers were installed alongside the creation of 3,300 parking bays to support commuters.

This project was delivered by Laing O’Rourke along with the Public Transport Authority.

(2) New Bridgewater Bridge

Described by the Tasmanian Government as the state’s largest ever infrastructure project, the new 1.2 km Bridgewater Bridge has replaced the former bridge which crosses the Derwent River in the northern suburbs of the Tasmanian capital of Hobart.

Catering to around 1,700 and 1,900 vehicles in during morning and afternoon peaks respectively, the bride is a critical part of the highway network that connects Hobart to Launceston – Tasmania’s second largest city.

The new bridge will replace the previous bridge that was constructed in 1946 and was nearing the end of its useful life.

Whereas the original bridge had only one lane in each direction, the new bridge now has an expanded capacity with two lanes each way. The project also features new interchanges at Bridgewater and Granton along with a dedicated cycle and pedestrian path.

The bridge was delivered by McConnell Down Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd.

It is scheduled to open in the middle of the year.

(3) Pakenham Level Crossing Removal Project

Delivered on the fast-growing fringes in Melbourne’s outer east, the Pakenham Level Crossing Removal Project has eliminated three congested level crossings at McGregor Road, Main Street, and Racecourse Road.

The project is part of the broader level crossing removal project, which involves the removal of 110- dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne and surrounding areas by 2030.

A key feature of the project is a 2km section of elevated railway, which begins to rise to the west of Stockmans Circuit before McGregor Road and lowers to the east of Racecourse Road before Deep Creek.

The project also included a rebuild of Pakenham Station along with extension and duplication of the line to the newly constructed East Pakenham Station.

To create a better and more seamless commuter experience, the upgraded Pakenham Station precinct feature improved intermodal bus connectivity and expanded parking facilities.

The project was delivered by the North Western Program Alliance. This includes Level Crossing Removal Project, John Holland, Metro Trains Melbourne and Kellogg Brown Root.

(4) South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication Project

Another project being delivered as part of the aforementioned level crossing removal program in Melbourne.

The project is part of a $1 billion staged upgrade of the Geelong line – Victoria’s busiest regional rail line.

It focuses on improving safety and reliability in the fast-growing corridor between Geelong Station and Warun Ponds in Geelong’s outer south-east.

The project involved 8 km of duplicated track, the removal of level crossings (and construction of elevated rail bridges) at Fyans Street and the Surf Coast Highway along with upgrades stations at South Geelong and Marshall.

The upgraded stations included new station buildings, forecourts, second platforms, additional shelter and better wayfinding.

The program also involved more than 5km of new walking and cycling paths. These link to existing trails and paths to create a continuous connection between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds.

It was constructed by DT Infrastructure Pty Ltd

(5) Sydney Gateway Stage 1 and 3

The Sydney Gateway project, spanning Stages 1 and 3, delivers a critical new motorway connection between the St Peters Interchange (WestConnex tunnel network) and Sydney Airport.

It has enhanced connectivity and reduced congestion in one of Sydney’s business transport corridors.

The project included the construction of 19 bridge structures and more than five kilometres of new road.

It was constructed by a joint venture involving John Holland and Seymour Whyte Constructions.

(6) The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Stage 3 Redevelopment

Located in Woodville in Adelaide’s western suburbs, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Stage 3 Redevelopment is part of a broader mutli-stage redevelopment of the hospital that aims to improve healthcare services across Adelaide’s western suburbs.

The redevelopment has involved a new 5-storey clinical services building which includes a 46-bay emergency department, 12 state-of-the-art operating theatres, a 14-bed intensive care unit, and advanced imaging and procedure rooms, providing world-class medical services to the community.

According to project proponents, the building will be Australia’s first public healthcare building to achieve 6-star sustainability ratings under the new Green Star Buildings rating tool.

The project is being delivered by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport and SA Health, with construction by Built Environs.

 

(7) Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project

Another project being delivered as part of the aforementioned METRONET program in Western Australia.

This project aims to improve network efficiency and enhance safety, connectivity and urban development in Perth’s south.

This project will elevate four kilometres of the Armidale line and will involve modification of major intersections to remove six level crossings.

It also involves five new elevated stations, two bus interchanges featuring 24 bus stands, six major utility upgrades and six hectares of public space.

The project is being delivered by the Armadale Line Upgrade Alliance. This involves Public Transport Authority of Western Australia, ACCIONA, B.M.D Constructions Pty Ltd, WSP Australia Pty Ltd and AECOM Australia Pty Ltd.

Moving the industry forward

Now in its 28th year, the Australian Construction Achievement Award program is supported by Caterpillar, Cbus, Gallagher, InEight, InfraBuild and Pinsent Masons.

Winners will be announced at an awards dinner in Brisbane on August 6.

Australian Constructors Association CEO Jon Davies congratulated the finalists.

“This year’s finalists represent an impressive array of transport and infrastructure projects delivered across Australia,” Davies said.

“These projects showcase smarter, more sustainable ways to deliver projects. From reducing environmental impact to prioritising worker wellbeing, diversity and skills development, these contractors are leading the way.”

Engineers Australia CEO Romilly Madew AO said the 2025 contenders stand out for their ability to integrate engineering ingenuity with sustainability and community-centric development.

 

Enjoying Sourceable articles? Subscribe for Free and receive daily updates of all articles which are published on our site

 

Want to grow your sales, reach more new clients and expand your client base across Australia’s design and construction sector?

Advertise on Sourceable and have your business seen by the thousands of architects, engineers, builders/construction contractors, subcontractors/trade contractors, property developers and building industry suppliers who read our stories across the civil, commercial and residential construction sector