Tenders closed yesterday on the surface and viaducts civil (SVC) works contract, which includes building the 4km skytrain between Bella Vista and Rouse Hill as well as about 4km of bridge, embankment and cutting works.
The three consortia comprise 33 companies, including specialist international bridge and viaduct contractors. The teams are:
- Impregilo Salini Joint Venture, led by Impregilo and Salini Australia
- Leighton Rizzani De Eccher Joint Venture, led by Leighton Contractors and Rizzani De Eccher
- Abigroup Contractors
The tender will now be evaluated and is expected to be awarded by the end of this year.
“This is a key contract that will see work start on the iconic skytrain structure,” said New South Wales transport minister Gladys Berejiklian said. The government has already awarded the AU$1.15bn (£770m) contract to build the 15km of twin tunnels between Bella Vista and Epping - the longest rail tunnels ever built in Australia. “Together, these two contracts will see work under way along 23km of the North West Rail Link project.”
The SVC contract covers major civil engineering work between Bella Vista and the end of the line at Cudgegong Road, Rouse Hill. The contract is fully funded by the NSW Government.
“Tenders will include significant design detail about the skytrain and key bridges,” said Berejiklian.
The project’s third major contract – the operations, trains and systems contract – is expected to be awarded before the end of next year. Two shortlisted consortia are competing to lay the rail tracks, provide the rapid transit trains, build the stations and then operate the new automated rapid transit system.
The North West Rail Link is on target to open by late 2019.
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