US$ 1.2 billion Hong Kong rail station contract awarded

A 50/50 joint venture between Leighton Asia and Gammon Construction has secured a US$ 1.2 billion contract to build a new rail terminal as part of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL).

Hong Kong metro system owner and operator, MTR Corporation, awarded the contract for the West Kowloon Terminus Station North - the largest and final XRL civil contract to be awarded for the project.

The project involves constructing nine long-haul and six shuttle platforms, as well as customs and immigration facilities, departure lounges, duty free and other retail outlets. A key element is a dramatic steel and glass roof structure above the entrance that is set to be a prominent feature of the Kowloon skyline.

The terminal is designed as a gateway to mainland China, and is forecast to handle 100000 passengers daily. Construction work is scheduled to begin in October 2011, with an expected completion date in 2015.

Expansion plans

Leighton Asia said it had so far won a total of AU$ 2.4 billion (US$ 2.4 billion) of work from MTR Corporation over the last two years. Leighton chief executive Hamish Tyrwhitt said the latest contract supported its expansion strategy in Asia.

"It is another successful step towards achieving our strategic aim to grow our international share of revenue from 20% to 30% over the next five years," he said.