Led by US-based consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff and GHD, the planning stage involves working through the safety, design, operational and environmental issues of the project before it can be considered for possible federal funding.
The task has been divided in two, with Parsons set to look after the engineering side of the planning stage while GHD will investigate environmental issues in the rail corridor and surrounding areas.
Although the value of contracts hasn't been revealed, federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albnanese said the government had set aside $25.5 million to fully fund the planning and preconstruction design stage of the project.
When complete, the Maldon to Dombarton freight rail line will connect Port Kembla directly to the main south line at Picton.
It will involve laying around 35km of track with multiple passing loops and new bridges over the Nepean and Cordeaux Rivers, as well as boring one of Australia’s longest rail tunnels.
The NSW government said the next stage of the project would involve the appointment of a specialist cost planner.
