Civil engineering contractor Esor has scored more than R500m from government's increased spending on infrastructure for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

CEO Bernie Krone said new contracts, including the Gautrain project and the upgrading of the OR Tambo Airport, had swelled the company's order book by R580m, putting Esor firmly on track to achieve targeted growth for the new financial year starting this month.

"We intend leveraging our new directors' network and industry knowledge to drive growth and position the group as a favourite contender for infrastructure contracts," Krone said.

The group has to date tendered for Gautrain contracts to the value of R365m, of which R80m has been secured in two piling projects.

"We are still awaiting a decision on the remaining tenders and are confident of our prospects in this regard," he said.

Other new contracts include R80m worth of contracts for the Airports Company of SA, in line with its R5,2bn intended outlay between 2005 and 2009. Esor has already completed the upgrades at the OR Tambo International Airport and is now extending the Cape Town International Airport.

"Following Esor's completion of the Ushaka Pier marine project, the group is now aligned with the preferred bidder for the Ushaka airport in Durban," said Krone.