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Three global consortiums will lead the build of the $5.4 billion Brisbane Cross River Rail Project.
The project will see a 10.2 kilometre rail line from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills built, a 5.9 kilometre tunnel under the Brisbane River and CBD, and four new underground stations plus upgrades to existing infrastructure.
The Cross River Rail Project is intended to ease the pressure of road congestion in the city.
The project will be delivered by three consortiums made up of Australian and global companies.
Leading Pulse, the consortium behind the tunnels and stations build, is Sydney based contractor CIMIC. The consortium includes Pacific Partnerships (a CIMIC business), CPB Contractors (CIMIC's construction company), UGL (a Sydney based engineering company), BAM, Ghella (an Italian construction company), and DIF.
Pacific Partnerships is the lead sponsor and will provide 49 per cent of the equity finance, with 51 per cent to be provided by DIF, BAM, PGGM and Ghella.
CPB Contractors will deliver the design and construction in a joint venture with Ghella and BAM International with UGL delivering the mechanical and electrical works. UGL will also provide maintenance services for the project over 24 years.
The rail build has been secured by Unity Alliance, a consortium including CPB Contractors, UGL, Jacobs (a construction company based in Texas, USA), and AECOM (an American multinational engineering firm).
Finally, Hitachi Rail STS has secured the contract to manage the train control system.
The River Rail project is expected to generate around 7,700 jobs including 450 apprentice and training opportunities.
"Cross River Rail is Brisbane's new underground. It means more trains, more often across the entire South-East," says Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszcxuk.
"As well as improving connectivity across the entire south east, it will create new precincts at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street, Roma Street and Exhibition, helping Brisbane evolve as a world-class city."
Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad says the project is important if Brisbane wishes to remain competitive with its eastern state capital city counterparts.
"As one of Australia's fastest growing regions, we have to build the infrastructure we need now to ensure we keep pace with this growth. We don't want to be left playing catch-up like Sydney and Melbourne," says Trad.
CIMIC Group Chief Executive Officer Michael Wright said the consortia was excited to start work.
"CIMIC Group is Australia's premier rail infrastructure and services provider. Our end-to-end capability enables us to finance, design, construct and maintain the new tunnels and rail stations combining the collective expertise of Pacific Partnerships, CPB Contractors and UGL," says Wright.
Hitachi Rail STS CEO Andy Barr said they are extremely proud to have been appointed for the ETCS.
"This will be a transformational project for the city of Brisbane. We have a proven track record for successful technical integration on rail projects worldwide, an established and talented local team based in our head office in Brisbane, and a firm commitment to build and enhance the social connection and liveability framework of growing cities such as Brisbane."
Infrastructure Association of Queensland CEO Steve Abson has welcomed the project and congratulated the companies selected to deliver the River Rail.
"Organisations in the preferred consortia have a track record of delivering complex rail and transport projects and have the know-how to leverage local content. We expect the benefits of the project will flow to many local suppliers and businesses throughout Queensland," says Abson.
Contractors are expected to establish a site presence from late 2019.
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