Downer will be responsible for designing and constructing two passing rail loops between Gosford and Narara, as well as associated infrastructure adjacent to the existing lines between the two stations.
The contract was awarded by Transport NSW, which said the project would allow passenger trains to overtake freight trains, thereby avoiding frustrating delays.
The scope of works includes some earthworks, construction of rail bridges to accommodate the new tracks, as well as signalling, overhead wiring, civil works and commissioning.
Works will start in March and are expected to be completed by mid-2015.
Downer chief executive Grant Fenn welcomed the contract.
“Downer is pleased to be assisting Transport for NSW to deliver these important rail works which will benefit the passengers and businesses of New South Wales,” Fenn said.
NSW Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian said the NSFC program would help take 200,000 heavy vehicles off roads each year.
“The Gosford passing loops is one of four key projects that will improve reliability on the line to the north of Sydney,” Berejiklian said.
“The project will help improve the reliability of passenger services, which we know is so important for our customers and also improve freight movements.”
Downer’s contract follows last month’s awarding of the $260million alliance contract for construction of the North Strathfield rail underpass project to Bouygues Travaux Publics and Macmahon Contractors.
That project is the second of four comprised in the NFSC program to be awarded – the first project to be awarded and completed was the Hexham freight loop, which became operational on June 24 last year.
With Downer taking up the Gosford passing loops project, this only leaves the Epping to Thornleigh third track project (still under review) up for tender.
When all four projects are complete Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said Sydney’s notorious bottleneck could become a thing of the past.
“For many years now, Sydney has been the single largest bottleneck on the interstate rail network, with freight trains facing frustrating delays getting into and out of the city,” Albanese said.
“The work that's now underway along the rail corridor between North Strathfield and Newcastle will help remove this barrier to greater productivity.
“It will also complement the new, recently completed southern Sydney freight Line as well as the improvements we're currently making to the line to Port Botany.”
The $1.1 billion NFSC program is jointly funded by the Australian ($840 million) and NSW ($213.8 million) governments.
