watpac shortlisted for barangaroo link

EARLY works on the pedestrian link between Wynyard Station and Barangaroo will begin in May, after the state government shortlisted three applicants to design and construct the project.

The Transport Minister, Gladys Berejiklian, will announce the shortlisted firms today and also declare major construction should start by the end of next year.

The consortiums include French and Spanish construction firms, confirming a high level of interest recently in Australian projects from European firms struggling with a slowing economy.

The so-called Wynyard Walk will enter the station through Clarence Street, feeding directly onto the station concourse.

A nine-metre wide tunnel will also run from Wynyard to the intersection of Kent and Napoleon streets.

The tunnel will link to a pedestrian bridge across Sussex Street. There will be lifts and escalators down to the ground level of Barangaroo.

The project, then known as the ''Barangaroo Pedestrian Link'', was approved at a total cost of $286 million by the Keneally Labor government. None of the cost will be borne by the Barangaroo developer, Lend Lease.

The three shortlisted applicants for the project are a joint venture between Australian firm Reed and the French firm, Bouygues; a joint venture between Australian firm Watpac and Ferrovial, a Spanish company that worked on the expansion of the Madrid Metro; and the local firm Thiess.

The successful applicant will be notified by the middle of the year. The government expects preliminary work by Transport for NSW to start by May.

"The new walkway will allow pedestrians to walk between Wynyard Station and the Barangaroo waterfront in approximately six minutes, avoiding current steep inclines and numerous road crossings," Ms Berejiklian said.

"When completed, Barangaroo is expected to accommodate 23,000 office workers and attract up to 33,000 visitors daily."