A major contract for the Sydney CBD metro has generated strong interest from industry leaders, according to NSW state minister for transport, David Campbell.

According to Campbell, 35 leading Australian and international organisations have registered their interest for the Integrated Metro Operations contract which covers rolling stock, track, station fitout, operating systems, operation and maintenance.

Organisations that have expressed interest include Thales Australia, Laing O'Rourke, Bovis Lend Lease, Leighton Contractors, Brookfield Multiplex Constructions and McML Systems Australia.

Representatives from the organisation last week signed for the contract documentation at the Sydney Metro Authority offices.

"It follows last week's announcement in the federal Budget of $91 million towards detailed work on the West Metro to Parramatta/Westmead," Campbell said.

Expressions of interest for the contract close on July 20, 2009, keeping the project on target for construction to start in the second half of 2010. Preliminary work for the CBD Metro is continuing, with engineers now conducting geotechnical testing in the harbour.