Leighton Asia in joint venture with Gammon has secured a A$1.2 billion contract from the MTR Corporation to construct the West Kowloon Terminus Station North, part of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL).

The project is the biggest and final XRL civil contract to be awarded and the fifth MTR Corporation contract secured by Leighton Asia in the past two years, giving a total value of projects of A$2.4 billion.

On completion, the project will provide a world-class rail terminus and serve as an international gateway to the mainland of China with a daily pass-through of over 100,000 passengers.

Facilities will include nine long-haul and six shuttle platforms, customs and immigration facilities, departure lounges, duty free and other retail outlets. A key element is a dramatic steel and glass roof structure above the entrance that will be a prominent feature of the Kowloon skyline.

Chief Executive of Leighton Holdings, Hamish Tyrwhitt, said: "The project secures our new work requirements in Hong Kong and is another significant award supporting our strategy of exporting the Leighton Group’s core competency to the growth markets of Asia. It is another successful step towards achieving our strategic aim to grow our international share of revenue from 20% to 30% over the next five years."

Construction works are scheduled to begin in October 2011, with an expected completion date in 2015.