Newcastle Council rejects light rail route

Newcastle City Council has stood up for community and good sense by voting to reject the State Government’s planned light rail route, instead suggesting that the route should run down Hunter Street along with vehicle traffic.

This puts the Council at odds with the State Government who want to turn Hunter Street into a light rail and pedestrian mall.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance has also announced the five firms that the government had shortlisted to build the light rail.

The five firms are CPB Contractors Pty Ltd (former Leighton Contractors), Downer EDI Works Pty Ltd, John Holland Pty Ltd, Laing O’Rourke Australia Construction Pty Limited and McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd.

The Minister said the contract would be awarded later this year.

A separate operation contract for the ongoing running of the combined Transport for Newcastle is also in the works with Keolis Downer and UGL/Transit Systems both in the running.

Click here to read the full article in the Newcastle Herald.