The Federal Government has announced contracts for specialist engineers and environmental advisers to identify and investigate the design, safety and delivery of the proposed Maldon to Dombarton Rail Link.

 

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese, announced that interested parties will have until October 19 to make a submission under the tender process being managed by the NSW Government, with successful bidders for both roles expected to be appointed by the end of the year.

 

“The work to be undertaken will help get the project ‘shovel ready’ and include assessing the structural integrity of the line’s partially constructed sections,” said Mr Albanese.

 

“As with any new, major piece of infrastructure we need to make sure that we get the planning right from the very beginning. What’s more, the investigations to be completed by the specialist consultants will be vital to securing the necessary planning and environmental approvals.

 

“Our aim is have all these preconstruction activities wrapped up in time for the project to be considered for possible inclusion in our next multibillion dollar road and rail construction program due to start in mid-2014.”

 

The project would involve laying 35 kilometres of standard gauge track connecting Port Kembla directly to the Main North South Line via Dombarton. It would also include two passing loops, new bridges over the Nepean and Cordeaux Rivers and one of Australia’s longest tunnels (see attached map).