MTR awards XRL tunnel contract to Leighton/Gammon JV

Global News

Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation has awarded a US$360 million rail infrastructure project to a JV that comprises Leighton Asia and Gammon Construction. The contract, in west Kowloon, is part of the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhon-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail (XRL) and comprises the construction of a 31m wide approach tunnel and 121m wide track fan tunnel, in addition to the construction of a public transport interchange building.

Running from West Kowloon in Hong Kong to the boundary of Hong Kong and Shenzen, the 26km line will link-up with the 16,000km rail network of the Chinese hinterland and is expected to be completed in 2015.

With previous railway infrastructure construction experience, Gammon construction has been involved on previous HK rail projects. It is jointly owned by UK-based infrastructure provider Balfour Beatty (50%) and by Jardine Matheson (50%).

This is the second contract that Leighton Asia – one of Asia’s leading construction and mining contractors – has secured on the XRL line. The first was the US$408 million contract awarded in March this year for the construction of tunnels and a ventilation building in the Tse Uk Tsuen to Shek Yam section.

Leighton Asia Managing Director Hamish Tyrwhitt said|: “Upon completion, the XRL will greatly enhance accessibility between Hong Kong and mainland China, further strengthening the social and economic development. We are excited to be playing a key role in this effort to provide a fast and convenient railway service to the communities.” Work on the XRL is expected to begin immediately.