AUSTRALIA: The New South Wales government announced the shortlist for the fixed infrastructure contract for the Newcastle light rail project on April 27. The contract is expected to be awarded later this year.

The shortlisted bidders are:

CPB Contractors;

Downer EDI Works;

John Holland;

Laing O’Rourke Australia Construction;

McConnell Dowell Constructors.

‘The NSW Government is committed to delivering a world-class light rail system in Newcastle and the five organisations selected have the right experience and expertise to help us do so’, said NSW Minister for Transport & Infrastructure Andrew Constance.

The planned 2·6 km line linking Wickham and Pacific Park is intended to replace the final section of the electrified main line from Sydney to Newcastle, where services were suspended at the end of 2014. The light rail project is to be partially funded using the proceeds of the state government leasing the Port of Newcastle. Options for future extensions were recently published for public consultation.