The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has revealed the three construction firms shortlisted for a new multi-million-dollar Inland Rail contract.
The shortlisting follows a rigorous expression of interest process, which drew an extremely high standard of responses from local and interstate construction firms.
The three tenderers in line for the project are Leadlease Engineering, RailFirst (a joint venture between Downer EDI and Seymour White), and Trans4m Rail (a joint venture between Rhomberg Rail Australia, BGC Contracting and SEE Civil).
The contract involves the delivery of main works for the Narrabri to North Star (N2NS) section of Inland Rail.
The scope of works for this section of N2NS will upgrade approximately 171km of existing track between Narrabri and North Star, including the construction of multiple bridges.
This section has been divided into two portions (separable portion 1 and separable portion 2 – SP1 and SP2) to enable the more complex hydrology of the 15km floodplain between the Mehi and Gwydir rivers north of Moree to be further investigated, while the remaining 174km upgrade progresses on schedule. Here, this project refers to the SP1 section of works.
This project is integral to the overall rolling out of the once-in-a-generation Inland Rail, which will redefine the freight task across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
Inland Rail Chief Executive Officer, Richard Wankmuller, said the project’s next works package will be awarded to the very best available team and ARTC is now entering a formal Request for Tender phase to determine who will be chosen.
“The successful contractor for this portion of the work will be required to deliver initiatives and meet targets related to industry participation, employment and workforce development with the Inland Rail team working closely with them to achieve these targets,” Mr Wankmuller said.
As the overall program proceeds, Inland Rail’s goal is to create meaningful change in communities along the alignment by creating a pathway to support longer term employment outcomes.
Mr Wankmuller said he believes Inland Rail will result in many benefits for regional centres such as Narrabri, Moree and Goondiwindi, as well as smaller centres.
“I know there is excitement building in the N2NS section as we move towards construction next year and local companies are looking to be ready to hit the ground running once the successful tenderer is announced,” he said.
“In order to help local companies get ready, three regional supplier briefings are being held this week for local businesses. These briefings are intended to help get as many people as possible involved with the project.
“From the outset Inland Rail has had a focus on creating opportunities for regional workforces and we are also engaging with businesses right across Australia to fill the contracts for the project’s build.
“We see Inland Rail as a way to create meaningful change in communities along the alignment by developing a pathway to support longer term employment outcomes. Companies can register for the N2NS project-related subcontract or supply opportunity via ICN Gateway at gateway.icn.org.au.”
