Inland Rail announces contractor shortlist for final Victorian construction projects

Inland Rail has shortlisted construction contractors CPB Contractors, John Holland and McConnell Dowell to build the final eight Inland Rail projects in Victoria.

Double-stack container train travels through a rural area near Parkes, New South Wales.

The three contractors will now develop their final design and construct tender submissions for the Inland Rail Beveridge to Albury section for Tranche 2 works at Benalla, Euroa, Broadford, Wandong, Seymour, and Tallarook.

The Request for Tender shortlisting follows a rigorous expression of interest process, which drew a high standard of responses from local and interstate construction firms to deliver Inland Rail, a nation building project that will transform how goods are moved around Australia.

In Victoria, work will be undertaken at 12 sites to enable double-stacked freight trains to pass safely and ensure everyday products can be delivered faster and more reliably around Australia.

McConnell Dowell is currently delivering four Beveridge to Albury Tranche 1 sites at Glenrowan, Barnawartha North, Wangaratta, and Seymour.

The preferred contractor will be announced in mid-2024, with Tranche 2 construction starting from 2025.

Ed Walker, ARTC Victoria and South Australia Projects General Manager, said:

“The remaining eight Victorian Inland Rail sites will be awarded to the very best available team and ARTC is now entering a formal Request for Tender phase to determine who will be chosen.

“The successful contractor for this portion of the work will be required to deliver initiatives and meet targets related to industry participation, sustainability, employment, and workforce development with the Inland Rail team working closely with them to achieve these targets.

“The first four Tranche 1 sites are moving quickly, and it will be great to get the shovels in the ground for the remaining eight Tranche 2 sites.”