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Vital Inland Rail tunnels a step closer

28 November 2018 – The contract for the geotechnical work on one of the most complex segments of the national Inland Rail project has been awarded to Golder Associates Pty Ltd.

The $23 million ARTC contract will see Golder Associates Pty Ltd undertake comprehensive geotechnical studies to optimise tunnel designs for the Gowrie to Kagaru section of the Inland Rail in Queensland. The 130km section is expected to require around 8.5km of tunnels that will be built through the Toowoomba, Teviot and Liverpool ranges – a design element expected to drastically increase operating efficiencies of the final project.

“Awarding this $23 million contract will help to generate the best possible design solution for this critically important but ground-breaking segment of the Inland Rail.” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack, said the effect of such efficiencies would translate to an estimated $10 per tonne freight saving, with faster and more efficient movement of farm produce from paddock to cities.

In order to gather the required rock and earth samples, Golder Associates will drill the deepest borehole for the project in Queensland, estimated to be 280 metres, with the findings set to inform strategic planning, assessments and engineering solutions.

Companies preparing to bid on the Public Private Partnership contract to build the Gowrie to Kagaru section of the Inland Rail will be keeping a close eye on the geotechnical work. So too the ARTC as they look to utilise industry expertise while minimising project costs. Top of mind will be the requirement that the final tunnel design be able to accommodate double-stacked trains on the line through the ranges.

According to the Government, the Inland Rail project will generate more than 7000 direct and indirect jobs in Queensland alone and will contribute $7 billion to the Gross State Product. Further Government projections suggest the new line will also ease pressure on the State’s roads and highways, removing an estimated 200,000 truck movements each year.

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