<p>Victoria’s four regional fast rail construction contracts have been tied up by two consortia.</p> <p>Thiess-Alstom secured the Ballarat and Geelong corridors and the John Holland and Transfield joint venture was the successful tenderer for Latrobe Valley and Ballarat.</p> <p>Unsuccessful bidders include Leighton Contractors, BLM Construction – made up of Baulderstone Hornibrook, Bilfinger Berger and Lockheed Martin Australia – and Downer EDI.</p> <p>The consortia will upgrade more than 500 km of track and improve signalling. </p> <p>Work will begin by November 1 and be completed by mid 2005.</p> <p>In total the project, including the introduction of new trains on these routes, is costing the Victorian Government $550m.</p> <p>Over 5,000 jobs are expected to flow from the work.</p> <br />
