Parkes to Narromine, a rail project being delivered by Mott MacDonald and WSP as part of the Inland Rail Design Joint Venture (IRDJV), has become the first of thirteen Inland Rail sections in Australia to start construction. This marks an important milestone in building the backbone for a world-class supply chain through regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland by 2025.
IRDJV delivered the detailed designs for the 103km-long stretch of the route for the Australian Rail Track Corporation. The joint venture also delivered detailed designs for the Narrabri to North Star section of the route and feasibility designs for Illabo to Stockinbingal.
An event to mark the beginning of construction was attended by Michael McCormack, deputy prime minister and minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development.
Commenting on the project, Mr McCormack said: “Inland Rail is game-changing infrastructure. It will deliver jobs, not just during the construction phase, but permanent jobs through increased freight. Farmers will be able to move food and fibre between Melbourne and Brisbane, in larger volumes and more-cost efficiently.”
Peter Josey, state manager, Mott MacDonald, said: “The start of construction marks an important milestone in this historic project, bringing critical infrastructure to regional communities. The project will deliver a safe, sustainable and integrated solution that will encourage more opportunities for trade between rural areas and cities.”
Inland Rail is the largest freight rail project in Australia and will drive AUD$16 billion in economic benefits, making the nation cleaner and safer by taking more than 200,000 trucks off the road.