en.Wedoany.com Reported - On July 13, 2026, Bechtel was selected by the High Speed Rail Authority as the Delivery Partner for the development phase of the Newcastle to Sydney high-speed rail project, responsible for bringing the project to a "shovel-ready" state before the final investment decision.
This contract award is based on Bechtel's experience in delivering large-scale infrastructure projects in Australia, including the Sydney Metro and Western Sydney Airport projects, as well as its deep background in the global rail industry. The high-speed rail project is positioned as a transformative transport infrastructure connecting major cities on Australia's east coast, aimed at promoting housing development and unlocking economic opportunities. The business case predicts that high-speed rail will boost national economic growth by A$250 billion over 50 years and create up to 99,000 new jobs.
Dr. Richard Freer, Managing Director of Bechtel's Public Infrastructure business in Australia, stated that the company is proud to partner with the High Speed Rail Authority to help deliver this major infrastructure project. Leveraging its global rail experience and capabilities, as well as its track record of delivering numerous impactful projects in Australia over the past 70-plus years, Bechtel will work closely with the Authority to turn the high-speed rail vision into reality.
Bechtel previously served as the delivery partner for Western Sydney International Airport, managing the design and construction of this A$5.3 billion project, which was completed nearly seven months ahead of schedule and within budget. The company also provided support for the multi-billion-dollar expansion of Perth Airport, overseeing design and delivery in a complex, operational environment. Bechtel has served Australian communities and clients for over 70 years, with projects spanning airports, railways, mines, mineral processing facilities, liquefied natural gas plants, refineries, chemical plants, power stations, and telecommunications infrastructure.
The High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) was established in 2023 as an Australian Government corporate entity, responsible for the planning, development, and delivery of a national high-speed rail network connecting Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, and several regional communities along the east coast. The Newcastle to Sydney line is proposed as the first phase, with new high-speed trains operating at speeds of up to 320 km/h on dedicated tracks, reducing travel time between Newcastle and Sydney to one hour, and between the Central Coast and Newcastle or Sydney to 30 minutes.
Founded in 1898, Bechtel is an engineering, construction, and project management partner serving the energy, infrastructure, manufacturing and technology, mining and metals, nuclear security, and environmental markets. It has helped clients complete over 25,000 projects across seven continents in 160 countries.
