Murphy has been appointed to develop final designs for a new train station in Golborne after the £32m scheme was given the planning green light by Wigan Council.
Transport for Greater Manchester is expecting construction to begin in 2026 with the first trains hoped to stop there in 2027.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “To have such a respected partner like Murphy on board to take the station through detailed design is a fantastic result, and we can then move swiftly