Leighton Asia wins A$283 million deal on Manila rail project

Image: Alstom

Contractor Leighton Asia has won a deal to build a section of the North South Commuter Railway System to ease congestion around Manila in the Philippines.

The Leighton-First Balfour joint venture will construct Package S-03B for the project, which will be worth A$283 million (US$187.3 million) in revenue for Leighton Asia, part of the Cimic Group.

SCR CP S-03B is a section of the nearly 56km-long railway financed by the Asian Development Bank.

The joint venture’s works include civil engineering, tunnel and building works for approximately 6.1km of the railway with 4.7km of the underground railway and 1.4km of at-grade railway.

It also includes the construction of a station, tunnelling works to connect to the Metro Manila Subway Project Senate Station, and mechanical, electrical, façade and other ancillary works.

Construction is expected to start in the third or fourth quarter of 2023 and complete by 2029.

The full railway runs along the existing Philippine National Railway between metro Manila and Calamba, southern Luzon, comprising 19 stations.

CIMIC Group executive chairman Juan Santamaria said, “The project is part of the government’s larger strategic transportation network to boost economic and urban growth between metro Manila and southern Luzon. We have a proven history in the region and we are pleased to be selected to deliver a vital infrastructure project that will benefit the community for decades to come.”

Leighton Asia managing director Brad Davey said, “Leighton Asia has a strong track record and expertise in delivering world-class railway projects. Our portfolio includes the Express Rail Link West Kowloon Terminus Station in Hong Kong, the largest underground railway station in the world. We are honoured to deliver the SCRP CP S-03B package and are committed to leveraging our 26 years of local experience in the Philippines to provide a safe and quality asset for our client and community.”

Last year, Hyundai Engineering & Construction won a $1.2 billion deal to build 32km of track and three of nine stations on the railway.

In February this year, Spanish contractor Acciona won a €480 million (US$530 million) deal to build 7.9km of track on a viaduct in Manila and three stations – España, Santa Mesa and Paco.