<p>Australia’s Barclay Mowlem has signed a $165m contract to construct a major depot as part of Taiwan’s new high-speed rail line.</p> <p>The contract, which has been awarded to Barclay Mowlem and its joint venture partner, TECO Electric and Machinery Co, is the second for the company, which secured a $180m contract to construct part of the track for the same project in August 2002. </p> <p>The US$15bn Taiwan High Speed Rail project is the largest infrastructure project of its kind in the world. </p> <p>The project will see the design and construction of 345-km line between Taipei and Kaohsiung to allow for trains travelling at speeds of up to 300 km/h. The project is due for completion in 2005.</p> <p>Federal trade minister Mark Vaile said Barclay Mowlem’s success is the result of many years of work on the part of the company and the Federal Government through Austrade and the Australian Railway Industry Corporation. </p> <p>Mr Vaile said the fact that Barclay Modem had now been able to win two contracts of equal complexity was a testament to the company’s increasing reputation as a competitive exporter of superior expertise and skill in the field of rail infrastructure.</p> <p>"This deal also has the capacity to provide flow-on benefits to other Australian exporters who supply to Barclay Mowlem and put Australia on the world stage in terms of rail construction," Mr Vaile said.</p> <br />
