Balfour Beatty wins $116 million transportation contract in Australia

UK-based construction company Balfour Beatty Plc has won a £76.5 million ($116.6 million) contract from Victoria’s Road Authority (VicRoads) in Melbourne, Australia.

The contract has been awarded as part of the NetworX Alliance team by Victoria’s Road Authority (VicRoads). The Alliance includes international infrastructure group Balfour Beatty through its Rail division and Professional Services division, Parsons Brinckerhoff.

Balfour Beatty stated that the contract will remove a pivotal rail/road level crossing in Melbourne, and aligns with Balfour Beatty’s strategy to develop in growth geographies and market sectors of which Australia and rail are both key elements.

The scope of the project will involve lowering the existing rail line beneath the road, which will reduce congestion, improve safety and reduce travel times. The project also includes construction of a new station with transport interchange and associated precinct areas. The construction work is due to start in May 2013 and will be completed by the end of 2014.

NetworX is an alliance consisting of Balfour Beatty Rail, Parsons Brinckerhoff, McConnell Dowell and Beca. The team will work alongside VicRoads, Public Transport Victoria (PTV) and Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM) to design and build the project.