CH2M wins role on Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail scheme

The US-headquartered global consultant CH2M, along with PwC, have become the first named firms to get work on the much anticipated high-speed railway planned between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

CH2M has been selected as technical advisor for the cross-border project by the Malaysian side’s delivery body, MyHSR Corporation, the firm announced last week.

The news came just days after the signing of an historic memorandum of understanding between the two countries committing them to move ahead with the project.

CH2M, with its sub-consultant PwC, will help MyHSR develop its part of the project, including the planning and design of the Malaysian section, and assisting with project management.

More high-profile awards are expected. This month a bilateral planning team will invite international bids for an overall development partner to advise on the project, which will see six new stations built along the railway’s route, as well as two new termini, one each in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, which are 309km apart as the crow flies.

MyHSR said it wants CH2M’s experience in high speed rail in the UK (High Speed 1 and 2).

"We have a challenging task ahead and with this appointment, we would be better equipped," said MyHSR chief executive, Mohd Nur Ismal Mohamed Kamal "We expect CH2M to bring its global expertise and its experience working on HSR projects for the KL-SG HSR."

CH2M Programme Director Mark Loader said his company was "an established member of the Malaysian engineering community, with a continued presence in Kuala Lumpur since the 1960s".

Composite image by CH2M