13 August 2002

MEDIA RELEASE
THE HON MARK VAILE MP
MINISTER FOR TRADE

E&OE

Australian signs $A180m Taiwan High Speed Rail contact (Ministerial) Tuesday 13 August 2002 A021/2002

An Australian-led consortium has signed a $A180 million contract for work on the Taipei to Kaohsiung Taiwan High Speed Rail project, Trade Minister Mark Vaile said today.

“The joint venture led by Australian company Barclay Mowlem Construction Ltd has secured the contract to build 29 kilometres of low vibration track in tunnels and an additional three kilometres of track on viaduct,” Mr Vaile said.

“The consortium is also involved in the bidding for a further 300 kilometres of trackwork.”

“In February last year, I accompanied Barclay Mowlem Managing Director David Hudson and a group of other Australian business leaders to Taiwan.

“It’s great to see the potential partnership that existed then has now turned into a reality.

“The Taiwan High Speed Rail project is the largest infrastructure project of its kind in the world, with an estimated cost of US$15 billion.

“When completed in 2005 the Taiwan High Speed Rail will transport commuters from Taipei to Kaohsiung in the south of Taiwan at speeds of up to 300km/h.”

The other Australian partner in the joint venture is Leighton Contractors (Asia) Limited, a subsidiary of Australian company Leighton Holdings Limited.

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