Opus Specialists To Manage Malaysian Expressway

MEDIACOM-RELEASE-OPUS

-International Opus Specialists To Manage Malaysian Expressway

Some of the world's largest and most sophisticated expressways will soon be managed by New Zealand roading specialists, Opus International Consultants Ltd (Opus).

The contract awarded to Opus covers the North South Expressway which runs the entire length of Malaysia in many places through rugged terrain, the Central Expressway, and the Link Expressway which joins the recently opened second crossing between Malaysia and Singapore. Under the contract, Opus will manage the maintenance of the road pavement, bridges, slopes, drainage and tunnels along the entire length of the network.

The expressways, built to full motorway standard, provide two and three lanes in each direction and enable continuous driving for 950km - the equivalent of driving from Auckland to Kaitaia in the North Island, or Picton to Invercargill in the South Island. The expressways use the latest technology in electronic toll collection and signage and carry millions of vehicles each year.

United Engineers Malaysia (UEM), who awarded the contract, is seeking to reduce long-term maintenance costs while maintaining the condition of the expressway at the required level. Opus, as the market leader in highway maintenance management in New Zealand, will bring to UEM leading-edge techniques in condition assessment and modelling, long-term maintenance planning and programming of forward works. The techniques, developed by Opus in New Zealand, are acknowledged as some of the most sophisticated and effective in the world and also led to Opus being the first non-British consultant to win such work in the UK.

David Bunting, Opus General Manager International, explains that Opus will bring a rational, systematic and proactive approach to optimise maintenance of UEM's high value asset. "This latest win builds on the international success we have achieved by winning major highway maintenance contracts for the United Kingdom and, more recently, Western Australia highways agencies," he says. "We are moving quickly to establish an office in Kuala Lumpur with around 40 staff."

Opus Chief Executive, John Rutledge says that recent overseas contracts won by the company demonstrate the benefit to New Zealand of a more open global trading environment. He hoped that more countries would free up the trading of engineering, architectural and planning consultancy services.

ENDS....

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