The Transurban Group has chosen Leighton Contractors as preferred contractor for the $550m upgrade of the Hills M2 motorway in North West Sydney. Under the agreement, Leighton will deliver environmental planning and design and construction. Subject to environmental approvals, the upgrade incorporates the widening of existing sections of the roadway from two to three lanes, including the Norfolk Rd twin tunnels, new access ramps, and upgrades of operational management and control systems. Join discussion...

Toll road operator Transurban Group says aggregate toll revenue from its assets in Australia rose 7.3% to $243.9 million in the March quarter. Join discussion...

TAXPAYERS may have to compensate Sydney's private light rail operation up to 50 per cent of its earnings every year once the CBD Metro to Rozelle starts. The company has written to the Government claiming the metro would destroy its business. Join discussion...

Macquarie Airports, Australia’s largest airfield operator, tumbled to a five-year low in Sydney trading after scrapping a share buyback and injecting funds into its Sydney Airport unit. Join discussion...

Australian/North American toller Transurban reported strong toll revenues and earnings in the second half of 2008 despite the economic slowdown. Toll revenues increased nearly ten percent from 2007H2 to US$524m/yr (A$416m for the six months with A$=63c, most subsequent numbers are A$). EBITDA was A$297m up 11.6% on the prior corresponding period (pcp) and cash flow rose 33% to A$138m, it reported to the Australian Stock Exchange. The company says it is raising capital at attractive rates. Join discussion...

The NSW government says it's considering a proposed $1 billion-plus tunnel to link Sydney's Warringah Freeway to a new, elevated Spit Bridge, but needs more information. Join discussion...

Infrastructure 2008 is the latest in an exciting series of detailed insights into specific practice areas, and the leading firms and lawyers operating within them. By combining specific new research (among client companies and peers) with the ALB database of deals and third-party market information Join discussion...

Availability payment models have been used with great success to deliver hospitals, schools and justice facilities. Given the seismic change in global economic circumstances, pressure is on government to give consideration to this model for economic infrastructure too. With highway projects, for instance, it would mean consideration of the shadow tolling option as well as direct tolling. Join discussion...