Laing O’Rourke Secures Cranbrook Rail Outloading Project in Western Australia
Laing O’Rourke has clinched a significant contract from the CBH Group in Western Australia to execute the Cranbrook Rail Outloading Project.
Part of the Agricultural Supply Chain Improvements (ASCI) Program, funded jointly by the Western Australian and Federal governments, the Cranbrook Rail Outloading Project is one among 11 rail siding initiatives at CBH sites.
Laing O’Rourke’s Rail Operations business will spearhead the project, leveraging its comprehensive expertise across rail and civil construction disciplines.
Set to kick off construction in April, the project encompasses a multifaceted scope, including rail, earthworks, drainage, structures, as well as mechanical and electrical works. The team will establish a new rail siding while concurrently constructing an intricate grain handling facility.
Paul Milne, Delivery Director at Laing O’Rourke, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with the CBH Group to enhance Western Australia’s grain supply chain outloading capabilities. Highlighting rail infrastructure’s pivotal role as an economic driver, Milne affirmed the alignment of Laing O’Rourke’s capabilities with CBH’s objectives for this critical endeavor.
CBH Group’s Chief Project Delivery Officer, Sam Gliddon, underscored the significance of the Cranbrook Rail Outloading Project within a broader strategy aimed at optimizing grain transportation to ports. Gliddon emphasized the project’s immediate and long-term benefits for WA growers.
The project at Cranbrook entails doubling the existing rail siding, extending it from 995 meters to 2,000 meters, along with realigning 395 meters of the existing rail siding. Additionally, a new 6,600-tonne fixed rail loading facility will be constructed.
The enhancements aim to streamline operations, reducing loading time from over seven hours to approximately four hours for a 60-wagon train, thereby minimizing disruptions to mainline traffic and eliminating level crossing interruptions.
Mark Fletcher, Rail Operations Business Leader at Laing O’Rourke, expressed anticipation about the partnership with the CBH Group, emphasizing the mobilization of their team and resources for timely project commencement. With over 500 staff and a robust fleet of specialist equipment, Fletcher affirmed Laing O’Rourke’s readiness to deliver excellence for the CBH Group, both now and in the future.
