Inland Rail has awarded John Holland the contract to deliver the Illabo to Stockinbingal section of the 1600-kilometre Inland Rail project in New South Wales.
John Holland will deliver design and construction works for the next 39-kilometre section of the project between Illabo and Stockinbingal (I2S).
The I2S project includes the construction of several bridges and level crossings, numerous culverts and a new crossing loop.
Steve Butcher, Executive General Manager, Rail and Transport, said it’s an important piece of the Inland Rail project.
“This project will create local jobs and leave a positive legacy in regional New South Wales,” he said.
“We’re proud to continue our partnership with Inland Rail, allowing us to leverage our skills and experience from other sections and draw on our capability in end-to-end rail solutions.”
The 39-kilometre Illabo to Stockinbingal section of Inland Rail will create a new direct route from east of Illabo tracking north to Stockinbingal in New South Wales and is the only new section of track from Beveridge to Parkes.
The Illabo to Stockinbingal connection is one of seven sections traversing inland NSW. The route will bypass the townships of Cootamundra and Bethungra and the winding, steep section of track known as the Bethungra Spiral on the Main South line, opening a more efficient way to transport freight.
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The project is expected to create up to 400 jobs to build the new track, bridges and level crossings along the newly approved section with upgrades to a further 3.5 kilometres of existing train track for necessary integration works to the main rail line at Illabo.
The project will also involve the construction of infrastructure for communications, drainage, signage, fencing, and temporary worker’s accommodation.
Inland Rail said John Holland was selected based on experience delivering major civil and rail projects, including being part of the consortium delivering the Inland Rail Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 project last year in New South Wales and the North-East Rail Line Upgrade (NERL) in Victoria in 2021.
John Holland is also delivering the second tranche of the Beveridge to Albury Inland Rail section in Victoria, with construction works also starting in 2025.
Nick Miller, Chief Executive Officer Inland Rail, said the approval by the Federal Government opens the pathway to commencement of construction.
“The approvals process has been a rigorous undertaking, with the New South Wales Government and Federal Government both giving their consent and confirming Inland Rail has met the expectations of all key stakeholders,” he said.
“The granting of approval means we can now start construction in partnership with our contractor, John Holland, which we anticipate will take place in the second half of 2025.
“We are fully committed to delivering Inland Rail South of Parkes by 2027 and this milestone is another important step on that journey.”
For more information, /inlandrail.com.au/