The latest rail projects around Australia

WESTERN AUSTRALIA Signal specialists sought

The WA Government is calling on signalling and system experts to submit Expressions of Interest to help deliver METRONET’s High Capacity Signalling Project.

It will replace the rail network’s ageing signalling and control systems with a modern integrated communications-based train control operation.

The new system will continuously send real-time train data to the control centre, which will use it to monitor the speed and location of every train, to future-proof and utilise the existing network more efficiently by allowing trains to safely run more frequently.

The contract for a new state-of-the-art METRONET public transport operation centre, which will be built to house the control centre, was recently awarded to ADCO Construction.

The High Capacity Signalling Project will be delivered in stages to minimise disruption to operations, with the rollout expected to be carried out over 10 years.

The contract to design, supply, build and maintain the High Capacity Signalling is expected to be awarded mid-2023.

All information on the Expressions of Interest can be found on TendersWA.

Aboriginal engagement

An exciting new partnership on WA’s METRONET Lakelands Station project is improving the project’s ability to engage with Aboriginal businesses and employees.

Project contractor ADCO Constructions have engaged Alliance Projects & Consulting (APC), a new Noongar-owned business which specialises in Aboriginal procurement and employment solutions, to help facilitate engagement with the local community.

APC Managing Directors Noel Morich and Dominic Panaia are working with ADCO to implement the project’s Aboriginal Engagement and Participation Plan, building a healthy relationship with the traditional custodians of the area and engaging local Aboriginal people to provide monitoring services onsite.

ADCO’s work with APC is important as part of the Gnarla Biddi Strategy, which sets requirements for Aboriginal employment and procurement on each METRONET project.

The partnership is already leading to favourable outcomes with an experienced Aboriginal Engagement Lead now working on the project, and business engagement and staff cultural awareness underway.

NEW SOUTH WALES Diesel electric evolution

CIMIC Group’s UGL has been awarded a contract to design, manufacture and supply new fuel-efficient diesel electric locomotives for long-standing client, Pacific National.

The contract will generate revenue to UGL of about $297 million over seven years and solidifies UGL’s position as Australia’s only manufacturer of freight locomotives.

The C44 Evolution locomotives will be the most technologically advanced, fuel-efficient, and environmentally compatible diesel electric locomotives in Australia and will be designed and manufactured in Newcastle, NSW.

CIMIC Group Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Juan Santamaria said Pacific

National had a strong focus on improving the efficiency of its locomotives and its environmental performance.

“We’re pleased to support this strategy by delivering locomotives that lower emissions and operating costs, with improved productivity, reliability and availability,” he said.

UGL Managing Director Doug Moss said UGL’s unique position as Australia’s only manufacturer and maintainer of Australianmade locomotives allows the company to ensure a strong home-grown supply chain and ongoing local employment.

Airport project takes off

The Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project has reached a major milestone with third and final planning approval granted for the project.

The green light has been given by the Australian Government for work to be carried out within the boundary of the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.

This follows NSW Government planning approval received in July 2021.

The final approval is in relation to 3.3 kilometres of twin rail tunnel and two kilometres of surface track alignment within the airport boundary, as well as two stations.

Tunnel boring machines will be in the ground in 2023, with the tunnelling contract expected to be awarded by the end of this year.

The 23 kilometre driverless metro will service western Sydney and the new airport, delivering a vital boost to the Australian and NSW economies, with the new metro line expected to support about 14,000 jobs, including 250 apprentices.

The Australian and NSW governments are jointly delivering the metro railway and six stations between St Marys and the Western Sydney Aerotropolis and have a shared objective of having the project operational when Western Sydney International airport opens for passenger services.

INTERNATIONAL Dubai coup for Thales

Thales has been appointed by French Japanese consortium Keolis-MHI, to maintain some signaling and communications equipment of Dubai Metro, the world’s longest automated metro line.

Thales will provide corrective and predictive maintenance, on-demand system enhancements, repairs and spares for the red and green metro lines and the Route 2020 extension.

In March 2021, Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) selected Keolis-MHI to operate the metro and tram networks for next 15 years.

As a leader in automated trains, communication and ticketing systems, Thales was selected by the consortium to optimise the maintenance and performance of the Metro’s signaling and communication system.

Thales has a longstanding relationship with the RTA, working with the authority on the Dubai Metro to improve urban mobility and provide the latest enhancements to solutions that are already in service.

The company has equipped the driverless trains on the red line, green line and Route 2020 extension with a range of solutions, including SelTrac signalling technology, integrated supervision, telecommunications, passenger services, security and automated fare collection systems powered by Thales’s Transcity Up solution and PG600 gates.