The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has engaged McConnell Dowell to complete the first phase of designs and early delivery activities for Inland Rail in Victoria.
The $16.4 million contract includes design and preparatory works at four sites on the existing north-east rail line to enable inland rail double-stacked freight trains to run between Beveridge and Albury.
McConnell Dowell will conduct site investigations to inform the preliminary and detailed designs for utilities, signalling, track slews and the update of rail structures at the Seymour-Avenel Rd bridge in Seymour, Murray Valley Hwy in Barnawartha North, Wangaratta Station Precinct, and the Wangaratta and Beaconsfield Parade precinct in Glenrowan.
ARTC Inland Rail interim chief executive Rebecca Pickering said the announcement was a “significant milestone”.
“It shows that the Australian Rail Track Corporation is getting on with delivering Inland Rail and bringing the Australian Government’s vision of the project to life,” Mrs Pickering said.
She said construction would start in the middle of next year, after all planning approvals had been received.
“McConnell Dowell and their main design subcontractor Aurecon will now oversee the detailed design of new bridges, train station modifications and track lowering at these initial sites in Victoria, while we await planning, heritage and environmental approvals,” Mrs Pickering said.
“They will also be undertaking early delivery activities to get ready for construction, which includes minor civil works, overhead wiring and signal gantry installation for the sites.
“ARTC remains committed to meaningful and respectful consultation with the communities in north-east Victoria as we continue through this phase of early delivery activities.
“McConnell Dowell will now begin progressing detailed design for these sites in early 2022, which will include further consultation by ARTC with the community and stakeholders for the tranche one sites.”
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