Australia rail contracts worth US$ 1.4 billion awarded

The Regional Rail Link Authority in Victoria, Australia, has awarded two joint venture contracts worth a total of AU$ 1.3 billion (US$ 1.4 billion) for a rail line that will run from West Werribee to Deer Park and through Melbourne's western suburbs to Southern Cross Station.

The largest contract, worth AU$ 835 million (US$ 852 million), was awarded to Leighton subsidiary Theiss in a joint venture with Balfour Beatty, design partners Parsons Brinckerhoff and Sinclair Knight Merz, as well as train operators Metro Trains Melbourne and V/Line.

This contract is for work on the 7.5 km Footscray to Deer Park section of the project, which includes construction of two new stations, new rail bridges, two road/rail separations, and improvements to existing stations and level crossings.

The second contract, worth AU$ 505 million (US$ 514 million), was awarded to Leighton in a joint venture with Baulderstone. This contract is for the construction of the 25 km Greenfield segment of the project that runs between Deer Park and West Werribee Junction. The project also includes two new stations, a number of grade separations and new rail bridges.

Considered a critical component of Melbourne's rail network, the regional rail link will separate regional trains from metropolitan trains, increasing capacity and reliability. Construction of both projects is scheduled to start in early 2012.