INLAND Rail, a subsidiary of Australian Rail Track Corporation, has shortlisted construction contractors CPB Contractors, John Holland and McConnell Dowell to build the final eight IR projects in Victoria.
The three contractors are now to develop their final tender submissions for the Inland Rail Beveridge to Albury section for tranche-two works at Benalla, Euroa, Broadford, Wandong, Seymour, and Tallarook.
The request for tender shortlisting follows a rigorous expression of interest process.
IR said the process “drew a high standard of responses from local and interstate construction firms”.
Work will be undertaken at 12 sites in Victoria to enable double-stacked freight trains to pass safely.
McConnell Dowell is currently delivering four Beveridge to Albury Tranche 1 sites at Glenrowan, Barnawartha North, Wangaratta, and Seymour.
The preferred contractor will be announced in mid-2024, with tranche-two construction starting from 2025.
ARTC Victoria and South Australia projects general manager Ed Walker said the remaining eight Victorian Inland Rail sites 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, sustainability, employment, and workforce development with the Inland Rail team working closely with them to achieve these targets,” he said.
“The first four tranche-one sites are moving quickly, and it will be great to get the shovels in the ground for the remaining eight tranche-two sites.”
