The $90 billion vision for high-speed rail between Newcastle and Sydney has inched closer to reality with the shortlisting of construction experts to design the Central Coast section of the track.
The groups will compete with each other to develop plans for the Berowra to Ourimbah stretch of track, known as Area Package 1.
The work will include designing 35 kilometres of twin tunnels and a new high-speed rail station at Gosford.
The three construction consortia are Acciona John Holland Joint Venture, Advanced Alliance Joint Venture and the GoFar Joint Venture.
"We said we'd go metre by metre, and carefully plan the first stage of High-speed rail between Newcastle and Sydney. That's what we're delivering with these new contracts," Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said.
"We know the roads between Newcastle and Sydney are congested, and the existing rail line is reaching capacity. We must invest in new ways to travel between NSW's largest cities. That's why this careful planning work is getting under way."
The High Speed Rail Authority is working through the design, approval processes, scope and costs for the 191-kilometre Newcastle to Sydney HSR link as part of a two-year development phase.
At the Newcastle end, the work involves assessing options for going over or underground for the approach to a new HSR station at Broadmeadow.
Either option will have major implications for surrounding suburbs.
At the end of the development phase, HSRA will select preferred tenders to build the project, however, no major construction contracts will be awarded until the federal government's decision-making process is complete.
"Over the past 15 years, Australia has developed a world-class tunnelling industry with hundreds of kilometres of tunnels built here - now we'll be working with some of the best of the best on Australia's High Speed Rail," High Speed Rail Authority chief executive Tim Parker said.
"This is the critical next step of the development phase for the Newcastle to Sydney High Speed Rail project.
If it proceeds, the Newcastle to Central Coast stretch would aim to be delivered by 2037, followed by an extension to Sydney Central by 2039 and Western Sydney International Airport by 2042.
It would include stations at Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Central Coast, Sydney Central, Parramatta and Western Sydney International.
The project's business case found the entire project would deliver between 80 cents and one dollar for every dollar spent on its construction.
In March, Infrastructure Australia recommended the federal government consider prioritising the Sydney-Newcastle HSR link for further planning and investment.
From a return on investment perspective, the agency found the project would increase connectivity between Newcastle, Sydney and Western Sydney Airport, unlock opportunities for population, economic and housing growth, boost productivity and support Net Zero objectives.
