Leighton Asia Awarded HK$1 billion (A$227 million) Light Rail Project in Hong Kong

Issue Date:  17 January 2001
Issued By:  Leighton Asia Limited

Leighton Asia Limited today was awarded a HK$1 billion (A$227 million) contract for the upgrading and extension of a light rail system in Hong Kong for the Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC).

The existing light rail system, which Leighton constructed in the mid-1980s, will be upgraded to reduce traffic congestion and extended to reach new residential areas and interface with KCRC’s West Rail project.

Upgrading work at Tuen Mun includes the installation of approximately 1.2 kilometres of viaducts over the existing light rail alignment, interim track diversions, modification of light rail and road junctions and construction of a new footbridge.

The extension at Tin Shui Wai includes the laying of four kilometres of new twin-track railway, installation of overhead lines, the construction of eight new passenger stops, rectifier stations, sub-stations, viaducts and footbridges.

Work will commence immediately and is scheduled for completion in December 2004.

Leighton Asia Managing Director, Mr John Faulkner, said the contract provided a further boost to the company’s already strong rail workload.

“This new project is typical of the opportunities we’re currently pursuing in Hong Kong,” Mr Faulkner said.

“We are already well advanced on two other major rail projects here. This project further strengthens our presence in the rail market and helps maintain Leighton Asia’s work in hand at record levels.

“The project forms just one small component of the Hong Kong Government’s HK$90 billion (A$20 billion) rail infrastructure programme which is due for completion in 2005.

“The Government’s announcement last year of a HK$100 billion (A$23 billion) expansion of the rail network from 2008 to 2016 will ensure rail remains a key market for us in the foreseeable future.

“Although the market will continue to be competitive, the experience gained from our current rail projects will see us well positioned to capitalise on the opportunities arising from these programmes,” he said.

Leighton’s other current rail projects in Hong Kong include the HK$1.14 billion (A$260 million) Tseung Kwan O station and tunnels project for the Mass Transit Rail Corporation (MTRC) and the HK$755 million (A$172 million) West Rail tracklaying project for KCRC.

ENDS.

Issued by: Leighton Asia Limited

For further information, please contact:

In Hong Kong
Chris Gordon
Corporate Communications Manager
Leighton Asia Limited
Phone: (852) 2823 1493
Mobile: (852) 9092 0827

In Australia
Justin Grogan
Manager, Investor & Media Relations
Leighton Holdings Limited
Phone: (61-2) 9925 6628
Mobile: (61) 0401 146 620