CLIENT
Fortescue Metals Group
PROJECT
Fortescue Main Line
Rail Duplication
LOCATION
Pilbara, Western Australia
CONTRACT AWARD VALUE
$93 million
START DATE
July 2011
COMPLETION DATE
July 2012
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The contract consisted of bulk earthworks for 50 kilometres of rail duplication in a remote location. The works were conducted adjacent to Fortescue’s operating main line at several locations over a total distance of 200 kilometres.
The contract included associated rail maintenance track construction, drainage and rail crossings and had an approximate workforce of 200 employees.
The section awarded to NRW represented the most difficult work associated with the duplication of the main line, with significant drill and blast required through deep and long cuttings.
Blasting took place adjacent to the operating rail and NRW’s reputation, as well as past experience in delivering eastern Pilbara rock cutting alongside rail, was a key driver for the project award.