Liberty OneSteel Whyalla Steelworks has been awarded a $20 million contract to supply steel for the first section of the $8.4 billion project.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Darren Chester, said the contract was significant, with Australian-produced steel rail to provide a direct investment to the national economy and secure Australian jobs.

“[This is] the first of approximately 262,000 tonnes of steel rail needed to build the Inland Rail – which is equivalent to five Sydney Harbour Bridges,” Chester said in a statement.

The steel rail is 60 kilograms of steel per metre, which will accommodate double-stack trains up to 1800m in length, travelling at 115kph, with up to 30 tonne axle load.

The Parkes to Narromine section has been declared critical infrastructure for NSW and the entire project a priority project by Infrastructure Australia.

According to the statement, the NSW Department of Planning and Environment is currently considering ARTC’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and responses to public submissions received about the EIS. Construction works will commence once all necessary approvals have been received.