1300 workers on board for three-day rail maintenance program

  • Maintenance works occurring on the main line between the port at Kooragang and Narrabri, and on the Ulan line
  • Three-day shutdown required for safe track access from Tuesday 19 November to Friday 22 November

Around 1300 workers will be carrying out maintenance and enhancement works along the Hunter Valley rail network this week, as part of a scheduled three-day program involving 125 projects to help deliver a safe and reliable rail network.

The work will be undertaken from the port at Kooragang and along the rail corridor to Werris Creek, as well as the Ulan line west from Muswellbrook.

ARTC Group Executive for the Hunter Valley, Jonathan Vandervoort, said maintenance works along the network include re-signalling at Thornton, a level crossing upgrade at Army Road at Glenridding and track reconditioning work at Quirindi.

“The Ardglen Tunnel will also be re-sleepered and re-railed. This is an interesting job as it is a heritage-listed tunnel and we have to take those considerations into account while undertaking the works,” Mr Vandervoort said.

“We will also take advantage of the opportunity to undertake a number of works including removing ballast and improving drainage on this section. With tunnels you need to be very efficient as the conditions are difficult to work in and to you need to be very organised to get all the works done in the allotted time.”

Mr Vandervoort said to ensure the rail network continues to operate efficiently and safely, a shutdown on the network will be in place.

“Similar to other recent maintenance programs, a scheduled shutdown is required to allow us to access the track for maintenance and upgrades that cannot be done safely when trains are running,” he said.

“The work will generally start at 6.30am on Tuesday 19 November and is expected to be completed about 6.30am on Friday 22 November, however, some small sections will start earlier including Pages River to Chilcotts and Chilcotts to Werris Creek.

“We apologise for the inconvenience and as always we appreciate the patience and cooperation of motorists, commuters and customers right across the maintenance program.

“We also ask people in communities close to the rail corridor to be cautious during the shutdown period and keep an eye out for increased vehicle movements in and out of work sites.”

With the shutdown affecting Hunter Valley train services, alternative bus services will be provided, and details and schedules can be found at the Transport for NSW website.

ENDS

Media contact:
Anna Hindson 0477 362 231

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