Leighton Contractors said Monday it had been selected by Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) to deliver the final stage of the Southern Sydney Freight Line (SSFL) in an Alliance contract worth $150 million.

The Alliance will complete the construction of a 36km dedicated freight line between Macarthur and Sefton in southern Sydney. The SSFL will provide a third track in the rail corridor specifically for freight services, allowing passenger and freight services to operate independently.

“The delivery team integrates rail systems specialists and highly experienced construction personnel who have previously delivered some of Australia’s most challenging rail infrastructure projects,” said Mike Metcalfe, Executive General Manager of the Construction Division at Leighton Contractors.

ARTC Chief Executive Officer, John Fullerton, said the SSFL will improve services to freight rail customers by removing the current peak hour curfew.

“It will also allow more freight trains to operate between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, providing positive outcomes for the economy, the environment and road safety,” he said.

“Each freight train means 100 less trucks on our interstate routes and, with rail consuming far less fuel than road transport, the project will be helping to reduce carbon emissions.”

Construction will begin in October and is scheduled to be completed late 2012.