Production of the concrete segments for the North West Rail Link's skytrain will start late this year at a factory in Mulgrave, near Windsor, it has been announced.
In a joint statement, local MPs Kevin Conolly (Riverstone), David Elliott (Baulkham Hills) and Ray Williams (Hawkesbury) said the NSW government had entered into a $20 million deal with the manufacturer.
It includes building the concrete segments that make up the 4-kilometre elevated skytrain that will run between the future Bella Vista and Rouse Hill train stations, and upgrading the plant.
Mr Elliott said the upgrade work was expected to start next month, subject to approvals, with more than 180 new local jobs expected to be created at the Hawkesbury factory.
Mr Williams said the local workforce would be trained in the latest international techniques in pre-cast concrete production.
Subject to planning approvals, Hanson – which currently employs about 35 people at the Mulgrave plant – will supply more than 1150 pre-cast concrete skytrain segments to the builders of the skytrain, Salini Impregilo.
“Segments will be delivered to the skytrain construction site at night,” Mr Elliott said.
The $340 million contract to build the skytrain, including a landmark cable-stayed bridge over Windsor Road at Rouse Hill, was awarded in December 2013 to Salini Impregilo.
■ the $340 million skytrain contract was awarded in December 2013, including 4-kilometre skytrain viaduct between Bella Vista and Rouse Hill and 2 kilometres of associated surface civil construction works and railway embankments;
■ 70 metres of skytrain to be built every week, on average;
■ the average height of the skytrain is 9 metres;
■ will consist of more than 1150 pre-cast concrete segments, ranging in weight from 70 tonnes to 100;
■ the Skytrain cross over seven roads and the T-way, which will be kept open during construction;
■ about 73,500 cubic metres, or 30 Olympic swimming pools of concrete will be used for the skytrain contract;
■ two 130-metre-long gantries with 1400 tonne capacity will start at opposite ends and work simultaneously towards the middle of the skytrain structure, meeting between Old Windsor Road and Sanctuary Drive.