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Essential rail upgrades between Melbourne & Sydney: 20 December – 5 Jan
- 80 projects will improve safety and reliability of the Interstate track
- Works delivered so far delivering very high reliability for customers
- Some unavoidable disruptions expected
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) is advising customers, residents, businesses and motorists that a range of essential rail maintenance works will take place over the holiday period between Melbourne and Sydney.
ARTC Executive General Manager Interstate, Peter Winder, said the work involves 80 separate projects along 1700km of track, right across ARTC’s main interstate network between Melbourne and Sydney.
“This is essential work that will further improve the overall reliability of the interstate rail network for our customers as well as make it safer and more efficient,” Mr Winder said.
“However, we would like to provide plenty of notice that there will be some disruptions to nearby residents of the rail line and local motorists as we undertake this work.
“The mammoth range of work includes upgrades to level crossings, maintaining and upgrading major structures like bridges and culverts, cleaning ballast, track resurfacing, drainage and much, much more.
“After the Christmas rush, it is a quieter period for rail traffic and as a result, an opportune window to get in and get a huge amount of work done, safely.
“Residents and businesses near the rail corridor where works are taking place are asked to keep an eye out for letter box notifications from ARTC describing local works near them.
“Motorists are also asked to look for variable message screen displays for any road diversions to level crossing upgrades,” Mr Winder said.
“We recognise there is some disruption when important works like this take place, and we appreciate the patience and understanding of local communities while we deliver the upgrades over the break.”
Most of the work will take place after Boxing Day; however our team will deliver nine projects including level crossing work, welding, mud-hole removal and track resurfacing between Moss Vale and Unanderra this weekend, 20-21 December.
For impacts on passenger services, please contact the relevant passenger operator directly.
Holiday Closedown Works:
- Work program 1: 20 – 21 December 2014 – Moss Vale to Unanderra
Nine projects including: V-crossing replacement, welding, mud-hole removal, lift and pack. - Work program 2: 27 to 30 December 2014 Somerton to Goulburn (42 projects)
Stage 1: 27 – 29 December 2014 – Somerton to Wodonga
Projects including: Resurfacing, undercutting, bridge upgrades and culvert repairs.Stage 2: 29 – 31 December 2014 Albury to Goulburn
Projects including: Re-sleepering, level crossing upgrades, re-railing, resurfacing, bridge repairs and undercutting. - Work program 3: 2 – 5 January 2015 Flemington South to Botany
Over 29 projects including: Re-sleepering, test pits and investigation, turnout maintenance, drainage cleaning and various third party works by Sydney Trains and contracting resources.