KUALA LUMPUR (March 1): Gamuda Bhd via the Gamuda Australia and Laing O’Rourke Australia consortium has bagged the Sydney Metro West — Western Tunnelling Package Project worth RM6.5 billion.

In a bourse filing on Tuesday (March 1), Gamuda said it will be the head contractor with Laing acting as a delivery partner providing project management services for an agreed fee.

It said the scope of work is nine kilometres of twin metro rail tunnels between Westmead and Sydney Olympic Park.

Gamuda said the Western Tunnelling Package Project is similar in risk to a number of bulk civil excavation and tunnelling projects completed successfully for Sydney Metro in similar ground conditions.

It said the Western Tunnelling Package Project will utilise two hard-rock twin-shield tunnel boring machines to complete the majority of tunnelling works, with station excavation comprising ground stabilisation and rock removal.

Gamuda said the project is expected to contribute positively to its results for the financial year ending July 31, 2022.

In a separate statement, Gamuda managing director Datuk Lin Yun Ling thanked the New South Wales government for placing its trust in the company to deliver the critical portion of Sydney Metro West.

“We are excited to share our international experience in building high-frequency rail sustainably, and are focused on generating benefits for communities in Western Sydney,” he said.

Laing managing director Cathal O’Rourke, meanwhile, said Gamuda Australia and Laing share an innovation mindset and a commitment to people, which will be at the heart of this successful consortium.

Trading of the securities in Gamuda was halted for one hour from 9.45am to 10.45am on Tuesday. The stock had risen 1.74% or five sen to RM2.93, with 129,500 shares done prior to the trading halt.