ARTC appoints McConnell Dowell for first construction on Inland Rail in Victoria
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has engaged McConnell Dowell to start construction on the first Inland Rail sites in Victoria, awarding a major contract valued at approximately $200 million.
October 31, 2022
With environmental approvals in place and a civil works contractor appointed, Inland Rail’s construction is set to deliver vital local stimulus and support hundred of jobs for Victorians.
The contract is expected to support work for more than 170 people directly employed with McConnell Dowell over the life of the project – expected to be complete in 2025.
Construction in the first tranche of Inland Rail works involves upgrades to existing infrastructure:
- Seymour-Avenel Road bridge in Seymour.
- Murray Valley Highway in Barnawartha North.
- Wangaratta Station Precinct, Wangaratta.
- Beaconsfield Parade precinct in Glenrowan.
McConnell Dowell will also deliver corridor wide works as part of the new contract, including signalling works, track slews and overhead utilities works.
The nation-building Inland Rail project continues to take shape, supporting more jobs and economic opportunities in regional communities and improving Australia’s freight network.
For more information on Inland Rail in Victoria, visit the Tottenham to Albury section.
Ed Walker, ARTC Victoria and South Australia Projects General Manager said:
“We’re pleased to have McConnell Dowell on board to begin construction on Inland Rail in Victoria, which is a crucial step for Australia’s largest infrastructure project.
“McConnell Dowell has already carried out initial design and preparatory works at four sites on the existing North East Rail Line to enable Inland Rail double-stacked freight trains to run between Beveridge and Albury.
“Now they have been confirmed as the construction contractor for sites in the first tranche, they will get on with the job of building the designs they have been developing.
“We’ve selected McConnell Dowell based on their experience delivering major projects including multi-million rail, bridges, railway stations and roads both in Australia and New Zealand, and globally.
“The award of this construction contract follows all primary planning and environmental approvals for Inland Rail in Victoria being obtained at the end of September, which means we can get on with delivering Inland Rail.
“Today’s announcement brings a new wave of enthusiasm to North East Victoria, with construction on this vital project set to start toward the end of this year.
“Construction activity will bring opportunities for businesses to participate in delivering the work, but there will also be a positive flow-on effect for motels, retailers, cafes and restaurants through to a range of service providers who will reap the benefits of the project.
“ARTC remains committed to meaningful and respectful consultation with the communities in North East Victoria as we continue through delivery activities for these sites.”
Tom Foley, McConnell Dowell T2A Project Manager, said:
“Tranche 1 of Inland Rail in Victoria will bring tens of millions of dollars of new investment into Victorian towns such as Wangaratta, Glenrowan, Seymour and Barnawartha, and McConnell Dowell is extremely proud to have a part to play in this.
“This project will create fresh opportunities for existing businesses, while supporting the establishment and growth of new businesses.
“Our team has worked night and day with the ARTC Inland Rail team over the past two years to make this vision a reality, we are very much looking forward to getting boots on the ground and building infrastructure that will change the way that freight moves around Australia for our future generations.”
IMAGE: McConnell Dowell T2A Project Manager Tom Foley, ARTC Project Director VIC & SA Projects Matthew Hart, McConnell Dowell General Manager VIC & TAS David Simms, and ARTC General Manager VIC & SA Projects Ed Walker
