Three potential construction partners have been shortlisted to compete in a ‘design sprint’ for a cost-effective Marsden Point Rail Link.

Minister for Rail Winston Peters welcomed KiwiRail’s identification of the three respected infrastructure builders: Acciona, a Downer/HEB joint venture, and Martinus Rail.

The three companies will now compete to flesh out low-cost design options, providing the government with a lower estimate and higher confidence to proceed with funding the 19-kilometre railway.

Peters stated that the connection is a necessity for the region.

“This 19-kilometre railway is needed. It is blindingly obvious that Northport requires a rail connection like every other major port in this country and more specifically for a port identified by the major shipping lines as critical to New Zealand’s export future,” he said.

Since resuming responsibility for rail, the government has overhauled the process. KiwiRail opened its design data to the market, allowing companies to put forward their own designs at their own cost to find cheaper construction methods.

During the upcoming design sprint, the three selected companies will focus on:

Refining the rail alignment to reduce earthworks volume

Optimizing construction sequencing

Investigating alternative options to deal with ground conditions

Exploring different bridge and level crossing options

“Just as we have done with the ferries, our no-nonsense approach to infrastructure knows no boundaries,” Mr Peters said.