Download the complete article in PDF format.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) will be upgrading over 21 kilometres of track between Bethungra and Junee in NSW over the next month, the company said today.
ARTC’s Executive General Manager Interstate, Tim Ryan, said the works, which are taking place from 12 August through to 6 September, will involve laying over 30,000 concrete sleepers and 66,000 tonnes of new ballast.
“ARTC is undertaking a fairly intensive program of works over the four-week timeframe that, while important to improving the reliability and performance of the track, will have some impact on local residents and the travelling public,” Mr Ryan said.
“Specifically, motorists may experience some minor delays at the Olympic Highway level crossing at Bethungra as trains will be travelling slower through the area due to the works.
“ARTC will have traffic management specialists and roadside electronic message boards in place to manage traffic, but we encourage locals to plan ahead and allow for additional travel time if they are travelling through the area,” Mr Ryan said.
“We would also like to ask motorists to be careful not to be distracted by the machinery in operation and be mindful of work vehicles near the road shoulder.
“We expect the work to move gradually along the rail line, from Bethungra towards Junee, and ARTC will be working hard to minimise disruptions,” Mr Ryan said.
“We recognise the impact the work will have and would like to thank the Riverina community, particularly those living next to the rail corridor, for their patience with us while these important upgrades are taking place.”
- Works during the month include:
- More than 30,000 concrete sleepers to be laid
- Hundreds of metres of ballast sledding
- Over 60,000 tonnes of new ballast laid and track resurfacing
- Corridor drainage improvements, cess drain clean-up and track reconditioning
Marinna Road just north of Junee will also be closed from 6am to 5pm on Sunday 18 August and between 10am and 2pm on Monday 19 August during the work program to receive upgrades to the level crossing’s surface condition.
“ARTC is working hard to further improve the Sydney to Melbourne rail corridor and the reliability, punctuality and performance of our customers, and the upgrade between Bethungra and Junee is an important part of this program,” Mr Ryan said.