Balfour Beatty has been awarded a major contract in Melbourne, Australia as part of the NetworX Alliance team by Victoria's Road Authority (VicRoads).

The Alliance includes international infrastructure group Balfour Beatty through its Rail division and Professional Services division, Parsons Brinckerhoff.

The £76.5 million (A$116 million) contract will remove a pivotal rail/road level crossing in Melbourne, and aligns with Balfour Beatty's strategy to develop in growth geographies and market sectors of which Australia and rail are both key elements.

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Balfour Beatty Chief Executive, Andrew McNaughton, said: "This is an excellent demonstration of the infrastructure expertise Balfour Beatty as a whole can bring to a complex project, utilising skills gathered from across our global business."

Guy Templeton, Country Manager for Australia, commented: "This is the first Australian contract secured under the new country model structure and highlights the effective combination of the design skills of Parsons Brinckerhoff working together with project delivery expertise of our global rail business. We look forward to developing this strategy further within the Australian and New Zealand markets."

The project to remove the level crossing will involve lowering the existing rail line beneath the road, which will reduce congestion, improve safety and cut journey times. A new station with transport interchange and associated precinct areas will be constructed as part of the project.

Work is due to start in May 2013 and will be completed by the end of 2014.

(CD/MH)