A Mott MacDonald WSP joint venture (JV) has been appointed by Australian Rail Track Corporation to provide the detailed design for two packages of the AUS$9.3 billion Inland Rail project in Australia. Currently the country’s largest freight rail infrastructure project, it will support development, investment and innovation and stimulate new opportunities for regional businesses.
Inland Rail will complete the backbone of Australia’s national freight network, linking the country’s five largest capital cities, top four agricultural regions and seven major ports to help make the agricultural and resource industries more competitive. In total, the new line will cover approximately 1730km from Melbourne to Brisbane.
Mott MacDonald and WSP will deliver engineering and design consulting services and environmental assessments for the 107km Parkes to Narromine and 188km Narrabri to North Star packages.
David Johnson, Mott MacDonald’s managing director for Australia and New Zealand, said: “We’re looking forward to providing our best-of-practice engineering to produce an innovative and value-engineered design for this significant project. Once complete, Inland Rail will help create a stronger economy for Australia, as well as improve safety in local communities and reduce carbon emissions.”
The Inland Rail project is expected to become operational between 2024 and 2025.