Some of Australia’s biggest construction companies are vying to deliver the Andrews Labor Government’s transformation of the Ballarat line.
Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan announced today that there were five experienced construction firms competing to build the $518 million Ballarat Line Upgrade:
- John Holland, Arcadis, KBR
- Laing O’Rourke, AECOM
- Lendlease, Coleman Rail, SMEC
- CPB Contractors, WSP
- TRANSFORM (McConnell Dowell, RCR O’Donnell Griffin, Arup, GHD)
The Ballarat Line Upgrade will duplicate 18 kilometres of single track between Deer Park West and Melton, install extra passing loops, and build new stabling facilities, station platforms and car parking – creating space for more trains, more often for growing communities right along the line.
The Melbourne Metro Rail Authority will relocate existing stabling yards at Bacchus Marsh station to Maddingley instead of constructing new stabling at Melton and Rowsley. This will mean staff will work from one location, away from urban areas - making it quieter for local residents.
Evaluation of the bids is well-advanced and a decision will be made shortly on a preferred bidder. The contract is expected to be awarded later this year.
Preparatory works for the Ballarat Line Upgrade are gaining momentum, with nearly 90 boreholes dug since February to provide information about the ground conditions along the Ballarat line.
Further site investigations including geotechnical drilling, service locating and ecological assessments will be carried out in the coming months to inform the project’s detailed design.
The Ballarat Line Upgrade will create up to 400 jobs during construction, with apprentices, trainees, and engineering cadets making up at least 10 per cent of the project’s total labour hours.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“Australia’s best construction firms are lining up to build this critical project for the growing communities along the Ballarat Line.”
“We’re investing more than half a billion dollars to give commuters in Ballarat, Melton and Melbourne’s West more trains, more often.”
Quote attributable to Member for Geoff Howard
“This massive project will create hundreds of jobs and deliver more frequent and reliable rail services to meet increased demand on the Ballarat line.”
Quote attributable to Member for Sharon Knight
"Together with the initial work that has already begun, the announcement of project bidders shows real progress is being made on this great project."
Reviewed 19 August 2020