CIMIC Group company Leighton Asia, in joint venture, has been selected by the Philippines Department of Transportation to construct a further section of the North South Commuter Railway (NSCR) – South Commuter Railway Project (SCRP), a project that will ease road congestion around Manila.

The Leighton-First Balfour joint venture will construct contract package S-03A (CP S-03A) for the project, generating revenue of approximately A$299 million  for Leighton Asia.

The newly awarded work will directly connect to package S-03B of the project, which was awarded to the joint venture in April this year.

CIMIC Group Executive Chairman Juan Santamaria said: “We are pleased to further contribute our railway capability and support the Government’s strategic plans for the transport network around Manila, following our selection earlier this year to deliver another section of the railway. This important project will play a key role in the economic and urban growth of the Greater Capital Region.”

Leighton Asia Managing Director Brad Davey said: “We are thrilled to extend our partnership with our valued client and partner at SCRP. Leighton Asia has extensive experience in rail, leveraging both our international expertise and local knowledge in the Philippines, where we have operated for more than two decades. We are honoured by the award of these packages and the recognition of our teams’ ability to safely deliver the works.”

The scope of work for CP S-03A comprises building and civil engineering for approximately 7.9 kms of at-grade and viaduct railway track structure, including an elevated station at Buendia and at-grade stations at EDSA and Senate; and the relevant mechanical, electrical, façade and other ancillary works.

CP S-03A and CP S-03B are part of the nearly 56km long SCRP, which is financed by the Asian Development Bank. It runs along the existing Philippine National Railways alignment and is comprised of 19 stations. The SCRP is the southern leg of the 147-km NSCR system, which is set to run from Clark International Airport in Pampanga to Calamba, Laguna. The NSCR is set to accommodate as much as 800,000 passengers daily in its first year of operations.