Leighton will handle track duplication in the area between Rocklands and Stanwell near Rockhampton, which constitutes one of six key work sites in the first stage of the project.
The contract marks the second major construction deal for the Queensland development following QR National’s recent appointment of Abigroup for the $76 million civil works for the balloon loop near Gladstone where coal trains will be unloaded.
QR National network executive vice president Michael Carter said the awarding of the two contracts was a significant step forward for the construction of the rail project, which remains on target to commence railings in mid-2014.
“This signing of this new contract will enable Leighton to begin construction this month,”
Carter said.
“This particular segment involves 18km of track duplication between Rocklands and
Stanwell on the Blackwater system as well as the construction of three rail bridges at the Burnett Highway, Four Mile Creek and Neerkol Creek.”
Carter said the Wiggins Island rail project would support the initial 27 million tonnes per annum of coal to Wiggins Island coal terminal.
“As part of stage 1 of the project the entire Blackwater system will be duplicated, enabling longer coal trains of up to 1.7km and more frequent services along the track,” he said.
The six major worksites for stage 1 of the project are Rocklands to Stanwell duplication, the Wiggins Island terminal balloon loop, Dingo to Bluff duplication, Moura East upgrade, North Coast railway line upgrade and the Bauhinia North Branch upgrade.
QR National’s coal infrastructure expansion program is adding more than 70Mt of capacity to the Central Queensland coal network to lift total capacity to in excess of 300Mt by 2015.
