Three major construction consortia have been shortlisted to help develop the detailed plans for the Newcastle to Sydney High Speed Rail project, including around 35 kilometres of twin tunnels between Berowra and Ourimbah.

The High Speed Rail Authority has selected the three consortia to take part in an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) process for Area Package 1, which covers the section of the proposed route between Berowra and Ourimbah.

The shortlisted consortia are:

• Acciona John Holland Joint Venture
• Advanced Alliance Joint Venture, comprising Gamuda Engineering, FCC Construction Australia and Samsung C&T Corporation
• GoFar Joint Venture, comprising CPB Contractors, Ferrovial Construction Australia and VINCI Construction Grands Projects Australia

The consortia will compete to develop plans covering the construction of around 35 kilometres of twin tunnels between Berowra and Ourimbah, a new Central Coast High Speed Rail Station at Gosford, and rail and station systems and associated infrastructure across the corridor.

The ECI process will help the High Speed Rail Authority finalise the project’s cost, scope, design and approvals, with the aim of making the project construction-ready and supporting a future Australian Government investment decision.

The shortlisted consortia bring international high-speed rail and tunnelling expertise to the process, with advanced manufacturing also expected to play a role in project delivery.

An Advanced Manufacturing Facility is proposed to use automation, robotics and precision manufacturing to improve construction efficiency while creating skilled jobs and opportunities for Australian manufacturers and suppliers.

No major construction contract will be awarded until the relevant government decision-making process is complete.

If selected, one of the three consortia would deliver the tunnelling and associated construction work for Area Package 1.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said the ECI process would support detailed planning for the first stage of the high-speed rail project.

“We said we’d go metre by metre, and carefully plan the first stage of High Speed Rail between Newcastle and Sydney. That’s what we’re delivering with these new contracts,” King said.

“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.”

High Speed Rail Authority CEO, Tim Parker, said the project would draw on Australia’s growing tunnelling expertise.

“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.

“Our tunnelling and construction experts will now work with us to map out the best high speed rail route between Newcastle and Sydney, including the diameter of the tunnels, the tunnel boring machines required and how we build the first high speed rail station at Gosford.”

The proposed high-speed rail system is expected to connect Newcastle and Sydney in around one hour, with journeys between the Central Coast and either city taking around 30 minutes.

Credit: (Infrastructure) Kody Cook