Progress Accelerates on Australia’s High Speed Rail

Australia’s High Speed Rail project has taken another step forward, with three major construction consortia shortlisted to help shape the detailed planning for the Newcastle to Sydney route.

The High Speed Rail Authority has appointed the three groups to an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) process:

• Acciona John Holland Joint Venture

• Advanced Alliance Joint Venture: Gamuda Engineering, FCC Construction Australia and Samsung C&T Corporation

• GoFar Joint Venture: CPB Contractors, Ferrovial Construction (Australia) and VINCI Construction Grands Projects Australia

  
  

What are they working on?

The three consortia will compete to develop plans for Area Package 1, covering the section between Berowra and Ourimbah.

The package includes around 35km of twin tunnels, delivered using tunnel boring machines, construction of the Central Coast High Speed Rail Station at Gosford, and the installation of rail and station systems alongside other structural and surface infrastructure works.

The ECI process is intended to help finalise the project’s cost, scope, design and approvals, with the aim of getting the project construction-ready and supporting an Australian Government investment decision at the end of the Development Phase.

Advanced manufacturing

The project will incorporate advanced manufacturing, with an Advanced Manufacturing Facility proposed to use automation, robotics and precision manufacturing to deliver the railway more efficiently.

The facility is expected to create skilled jobs and opportunities for Australian manufacturers and suppliers.

Once completed, the dedicated High Speed Rail system is expected to enable journeys between Newcastle and Sydney in around one hour, with Central Coast trips to either city taking around 30 minutes.

Importantly, no major construction contract will be awarded until the government’s decision-making process is complete.