After an extensive evaluation process, three consortiums interested in building the new passenger rail line between Deer Park and West Werribee have been shortlisted.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the short-listing of potential builders for this section of the $4.3 billion Regional Rail Link is another major milestone in the delivery of what is the country’s biggest public transport infrastructure project.

The shortlisted consortiums are:

• Abigroup Thiess JV;


• Fulton Hogan, John Holland & Coleman Rail JV; and


• Leighton Baulderstone JV.

“Each of these joint ventures will now be invited to develop and submit fully costed proposals, with the final contract expected to be awarded to one of them in late 2011,” said Mr Albanese.

“Once completed in 2014, the Regional Rail Link will become metropolitan Melbourne’s first major new rail line in 80 years, providing capacity for up to 9,000 additional passengers during peak hour.”

The Regional Rail Link is a jointly project, with the Australian Government contributing $3.2 billion and Victorian Government a further $1.1 billion.

Victorian Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder said the successful consortium will be required to lay 25 kilometres of new track separating Geelong trains from metropolitan trains and removing a major cause of congestion and delays.

“They will also be tasked with building new stations at Wyndham Vale and Tarneit as well as a bridge over the Werribee River and grade separations including the Deer Park Bypass so as to avoid the need for any new level crossings,” said Mr Mulder.

“The Regional Rail Link’s Deer Park to West Werribee section will provide vital new train services to Melbourne’s growing west along with improved capacity and reliability for Geelong services.”