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Three consortia have been shortlisted for the AUD6 billion Public Private Partnership (PPP) contract to build the Melbourne Metro Rail Project.

The shortlisted bidders are:

• Continuum Victoria – comprising ACCIONA Infrastructure, Ferrovial Agroman, Honeywell, Downer EDI and Plenary Origination
• Cross Yarra Partnership – comprising Lendlease Engineering, John Holland, Bouygues Construction and Capella Capital
• Moving Melbourne Together – comprising Pacific Partnerships, CPB Contractors, Ghella, Salini Impregilo, Serco and Macquarie Capital

The project will involve the development of two 9-kilometers rail tunnels from South Kensington to South Yarra, travelling underneath Swanston Street in the Central Business District, as part of a new Sunbury to Cranbourne/Pakenham line.

The new line will have five underground stations at Arden, Parkville, CBD North, CBD South, and Domain. Additionally, it will have train/tram interchanges at Parkville and Domain and rail tunnel entrances at South Kensington and South Yarra.

A total of sixty five brand new and high capacity trains will run on the line, freeing up more trains and more space all over Melbourne.

The contract, an availability based PPP, will include design and construction of the metro rail, private finance and the provision of maintenance and other services during the operating term.

Shortlisted bidders for the PPP will be asked to submit a formal proposal by early next year, with a contract expected to be awarded by the end of 2017. Work on the Tunnel and Stations PPP will begin in 2018.

Project details can be seen here: http://melbournemetro.vic.gov.au/