Three consortia shortlisted for Newcastle

Three major construction consortia have been shortlisted to develop plans for around 35km of twin-bore tunnelling on Australia’s proposed Newcastle–Sydney High Speed Rail project. The High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) has selected the teams for an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) process covering Area Package 1, between Berowra and Ourimbah, as the project progresses through its Development Phase. The shortlisted consortia are: - 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 Projets Australia The three teams will compete during the ECI phase to develop construction plans and refine costs, programme, design and delivery methodology for the package. Area Package 1 includes approximately 35km of twin tunnels between Berowra and Ourimbah, to be excavated using TBMs. The scope also includes construction of the Central Coast High Speed Rail Station at Gosford and installation of rail and station systems, together with associated structural and surface infrastructure. According to HSRA, the ECI process will examine issues including tunnel diameter, TBM requirements and construction methodology, as well as the design and delivery of the Gosford station. The shortlisted teams bring Australian and international high-speed rail, tunnelling and major infrastructure experience to the project. An advanced manufacturing facility is also being considered as part of the delivery strategy. The facility would use automation, robotics and precision manufacturing to support railway construction and provide opportunities for Australian manufacturers and suppliers. HSRA chief executive Tim Parker said Australia’s tunnelling sector had developed considerably over the past 15 years. “Over the past 15 years, Australia has developed a world-class tunnelling industry with hundreds of kilometres of tunnels built here – now we’ll be working with some of the best of the best on Australia’s High Speed Rail,” Parker said. He described the ECI procurement as a “critical next step” in the Development Phase, with the teams set to investigate “the diameter of the tunnels we will build for Australia’s first high speed trains, what kind of mega tunnel boring machines we need and how we build the first high speed rail station at Gosford”. Infrastructure and Transport Minister Catherine King said the competitive process would be used to identify the most efficient approach to the tunnelling works. “The three consortia will determine the best and most innovative ways to drive tunnels between Berowra and Ourimbah, while ensuring Australians get value for money,” she said. The proposed dedicated high-speed railway is intended to reduce Newcastle–Sydney journey times to around one hour, while journeys from the Central Coast to either Newcastle or Sydney would take approximately 30 minutes. No major construction contract will be awarded until the Australian Government completes its investment decision-making process at the end of the Development Phase. Subject to that decision, one of the three shortlisted consortia would subsequently be selected by HSRA to deliver the Area Package 1 tunnelling and associated construction works. Comments: