Leighton Asia wins rail link contract

Hong Kong's MTR Corporation (Mass Transit Railway Corporation) has awarded an AU$ 463 million (US$ 423 million) contract to Leighton Asia to construct the Tse Uk Tsuen to Shek Yam section of the Guangzhou - Shenzhen - Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL).

The Guangzhou - Shenzhen - Hong Kong Express Rail Link is a cross boundary transport infrastructure project, which will provide high speed rail services between Hong Kong and mainland China.

The Hong Kong SAR Government has handed the design and construction of the Hong Kong section of the project to the MTR Corporation.

Leighton Asia will construct tunnels and ventilation buildings in this particular section of the rail link which will travel underground for 26 km from the terminus in West Kowloon to the boundary crossing point at Huanggang, Shenzhen.

The contract includes the construction of a 7.6 km twin-track tunnel between Tse Uk Tsuen and Shek Yam, two ventilation buildings and a 90 m deep ventilation shaft.

Drill and blast techniques will be used for the construction of the tunnels and the work will be carried out in co-operation with Australian contractor, Macmahon Holdings.

Managing director for Leighton Asia, Hamish Tyrwhitt said, "Leighton Asia is delighted to be selected to construct another part of Hong Kong's rail network.

"The XRL will provide the strategic link for Hong Kong to the comprehensive high-speed rail network in Mainland China.

"Leighton is excited to play a key role in this effort to provide a fast and convenient railway service to the communities in Hong Kong that will connect to other mainland cities."

Construction work is expected to start this month with completion scheduled for 2015.