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

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

Inland Rail, the newly created subsidiary of the Australian Rail Track Corporation, says the request for tender drew a high standard of responses from local and interstate construction companies.

Double-stacked freight trains

In Victoria, work will be undertaken at 12 sites to enable the passage of double-stacked freight trains.

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

The first four Tranche 1 sites were moving quickly, ARTC Victoria and South Australia Projects General Manager Ed Walker 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,” Mr Walker said.

“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.”