Latest news with #roadwork
ABC News
7 hours ago
- ABC News
Tearful ICAC witness recalls 'very improper' meeting with transport official
A traffic controller has told the state's corruption commission that he went behind his "wife's back" to pay kickbacks to a Transport for NSW (TfNSW) official, in order to win lucrative roadwork contracts. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is investigating allegations that Ibrahim Helmy, who worked for TfNSW for 15 years, received $11.5 million in payments for helping contractors secure roadwork jobs, often at inflated prices. Mr Helmy failed to appear at ICAC earlier this month and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. On Thursday, operations manager at Direct Traffic Pty Ltd, Adam Spilsted, became emotional, telling the commission he would pass cash to Mr Helmy "under the table" at a Merrylands restaurant to help secure contracts for the business. "I was scared of not getting any work," he said "Working for a government agency such as Transport for NSW is a privilege," he said, choking back tears. "I've done the wrong thing ... It's something I should have … reported." Mr Spilsted told the hearing that Mr Helmy initially offered to help him win state government contracts because he knew Mr Spilsted's father. The ICAC earlier heard that about $48 million in contracts had been awarded by TfNSW to Direct Traffic Pty Ltd between 2018 and 2025. Mr Spilsted said Mr Helmy gave him tender evaluation criteria, as well as confidential information on other companies' bids. However, during one of their meetings at Merrylands library in 2018, Mr Helmy allegedly asked for money. "In order for me to give you this work, I would expect some type of payment," Mr Helmy allegedly said. Counsel Assisting, Rob Rob Ranken SC, asked Mr Spilsted whether he understood the gravity of that request. "Did you appreciate that what he was proposing was improper?" Mr Ranken asked. Adam Spilsted said he later told his wife, Mechelina Van Der Ende-Plakke, who is a director of Direct Traffic Pty Ltd, that Mr Helmy had asked for money. "She didn't want to give him any money whatsoever," he told the hearing. According to Mr Spilsted, Mr Helmy threatened to stop helping him win contracts unless he got paid. "So, what I did was went behind my wife's back," he told the commission. Mr Spilsted said he initially paid Mr Helmy using gift cards, but was soon told "the gift cards aren't cutting it". He later made several large cash withdrawals and handed them to Mr Helmy both in his car and "under the table" at an Egyptian restaurant in Merrylands. However, as the relationship continued and more contracts were awarded to the business, Mr Spilsted said the transport official wanted more money. "Every time that I'd see him, he'd ask for money all the time," he said. Mr Spilsted told the hearing that Mr Helmy ultimately asked him to pay about $600,000. He said that when his wife found out about that demand, she threatened to "dob" Mr Helmy in to TfNSW. Mr Spilsted said he warned her against going to authorities, saying they would both get into a "lot of trouble" because "we'd already paid him". The hearing was then played a phone conversation allegedly between Ms Van Der Ende-Plakke and Mr Helmy, recorded by Mr Spilsted. In the recording, she told Mr Helmy she was "shocked". "If we would go ahead with this [and] it would ever come out, it would not be good," she said. She told Mr Helmy she only wanted her company to win contracts based on merit. The man — allegedly Mr Helmy — responded by trying to reassure her. "I don't see it as badly as you're seeing it," he said. However, he later conceded "it is not 100 per cent legal". The hearing continues.
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Windsor councillor asks for patience amid University Avenue construction
A Windsor city councillor is asking residents and businesses owners to be patient as major construction continues on University Avenue. Ward 3 Coun. Renaldo Agostino says he understands it's frustrating as the work continues, but it is work that needs to be done. University Avenue West is under construction between McEwan Avenue and Salter Avenue — the project started in mid-March. The work includes road reconstruction, streetscaping, boulevards, wider sidewalks, more canopy coverage, bike lanes and underground sewer work. Due to the construction, on-street parking and bicycle lanes are not available - something that is causing frustration among businesses. While majority of the construction lies within Ward 2, Agostino says part of it is within his ward as well. He says the finished product will be worth it. 'It's one of those things just like doing a project at home in your backyard, it sucks to wake up every morning and see the job unfinished, but once it does finish you're satisfied. It's going to take time, and we're going to try our best to mitigate the issues that come with the construction, but, you want nice roads, they've got to get done properly.' He acknowledges that some businesses are hurting. 'We try and do whatever we can to accommodate them, and open up some street parking, and move some giant piles of rocks and dirt to be able to have access to their parking lots. So we're trying to do this as best we can. We've got great people on the job out there, and it's just going to take some time and some patience.' Agostino goes on to say he understands gets the work is frustrating. 'Just like driving down Howard [Avenue], you get all upset, you go like 'who chose to do this at this time of year, what's going on here?', but listen, this is what it takes, this is part of growth, this is part of having a nice city, and it's just going to take some time. Believe me, you don't have to be somewhere that fast, so sometimes it's nice to slow down and enjoy the view around you.' This work will be ongoing until December 2025. Some additional work is expected to continue in 2026. Once completed, the street will be Windsor's first complete street and will offer the best mode of transportation for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. — Meagan Delaurier/AM800 News, Rob Hindi/AM800 News
CTV News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
E.C. Row Expressway on-ramp at Central Avenue to close
The City of Windsor is telling drivers about an upcoming construction project on another E.C. Row Expressway ramp this week. The Eastbound E.C. Row Expressway on-ramp from Central Avenue will be closed nightly for milling and paving work. It will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., on Wednesday, July 23, until Tuesday, July 29, 2025. Friday and Saturday evenings excluded. (weather permitting) GIP Paving is doing the work. For more information on construction and detours, contact 311 or see the City of Windsor construction and detours database and map at
CBS News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- CBS News
Long-term paving project getting underway today in Westmoreland County
A long-term paving project is getting underway today in several parts of Westmoreland County, including a busy stretch of Rt. 30 in North Huntingdon Township. The project will impact five state roads throughout the county in total. The resurfacing work will be taking place along Route 30 in North Huntingdon Township and Unity Township, Clopper Street in Greensburg, Pittsburgh Street in East Huntingdon Township, Youghiogheny Street in Adamsburg, and Hancock Avenue in Allegheny Township. All of the routes will see single-lane, alternating traffic and the work is expected to take place on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The work is expected to continue until October. Flaggers will be in the area to guide people around the work, which PennDOT says is part of an $11.3 million project.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
$1M Timmins roadwork starts next week
Timmins roadwork starts next week with nearly $1 million in upgrades along Airport Road and Westmount Boulevard. Phase 1 includes new signals, crosswalks and drainage upgrades.
