UK-based engineering firm Arup will partner with French based company SYSTRA to plan the proposed network operation of high-speed rail in Australia.
The contract for Network Rail Operations Planning was awarded to the Arup-led team in June after a competitive tender process by the High Speed Rail Authority, as part of their work to deliver the Sydney to Newcastle Business Case.
The partners' initial focus will be on the operations and maintenance requirements for the first stage between Sydney and Newcastle.
With 14.9 million passengers annually, Sydney to Newcastle is the busiest intercity rail line in Australia.
The business case will determine elements of the network, including proposed corridor alignment, station locations, fleet, cost estimate and construction timeframes.
Network operations planning is one of eight high speed rail work packages that the federal government has awarded.
The government has committed $500 million for the planning and corridor protection of the Sydney to Newcastle section.
The first major milestone will be progressing with onsite studies such as geotechnical investigations to test ground condition. This will help inform high-speed rail corridor alignment and station locations.
Arup announced its partnership with SYSTRA this week.
The companies have been at the forefront of high-speed and faster rail development globally for more than 40 years.
The firms bring extensive international experience in high-speed operations and maintenance blended with local rail planning expertise to the project.
"High-speed rail opens up a wealth of benefits for the communities it connects, providing a sustainable transport link for residents, workers, and visitors, and unlocking the potential for social and economic growth," Australasia Transport Leader at Arup Alex Borg said.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for Arup to bring our extensive global experience and dedication to sustainable development to this project and help shape the future of transport on Australia's east coast."
SYSTRA operations and maintenance director Jean-Philippe Lavallee said the company was keen to contribute to define Australia's vision for a more connected and sustainable future.
"We look forward to leveraging of our global expertise gained through worldwide high-speed rail projects, finely completed with our local knowledge and on-the-ground expertise, to define a sustainable, attractive, performant, and cost-efficient high-speed rail transportation system," he said.
