Sydney to Melbourne ‘Super Possession’ improves network resilience
- ‘Super possession’ improvement works will close Sydney to Melbourne line for 60 hours
- Passengers advised to plan their journeys with full line closure from Moss Vale, NSW to Melbourne from 6am Saturday 9 March to 6pm Monday 11 March
- Works are part of a program to improve network resilience and reliability
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) will carry out essential rail maintenance and improvement works this weekend on the main railway line between Sydney and Melbourne, and Cootamundra and Parkes.
To facilitate this ‘Super Possession,’ 800km of the railway will be closed for 60 hours from 6am Saturday 9 March to 6pm Monday 11 March.
Major works along the corridor include replacing 21km of new rail in the NSW Southern Highlands, track tamping, as well as structure repairs, turnout maintenance and mudhole removal. ARTC will also conduct routine track maintenance activities along the length of the line including signalling works, and vegetation control.
In Melbourne’s northwest suburbs, ARTC will be installing concrete sleepers and ballast as part of a 600m upgrade of the existing broad-gauge track between Albion and Jacana.
These works are part of ARTC’s commitment to improve network resilience and reduce speed restrictions.
During the track possession, Inland Rail will also undertake round-the-clock works, which will see significant construction progress achieved in Victoria. Work includes the removal of the old Seymour-Avenel Road bridge and the Beaconsfield Parade bridge at Glenrowan. In Wangaratta, 900 metres of track will be lowered, and a new western track built, and the remaining sections of the Green Street bridge removed.
Inland Rail will also undertake works on the Stockinbingal to Parkes section of track in New South Wales, preparing the line for double-stacked freight trains. This includes upgrade work at the Daroobalgie Level Crossing, trackwork at Forbes and track tamping at Bribbaree Yard.
Road coaches will replace all NSW Trainlink and V/Line services between 9-11 March. Additional service changes due to Inland Rail work may impact passengers wishing to use Wangaratta Station in Victoria through the period 7-13 March.
Customers should contact Transport for NSW (13 22 22) or V/Line (1800 800 007) to plan their journey and view alternate transport arrangements.
ARTC is reminding motorists to remain vigilant and slow down at level crossings during the shutdown, with heavy machinery operating in and around the rail line.
These works are expected to generate medium to high levels of noise at times during daylight and nighttime hours however ARTC has worked hard to minimise the disruptions that this work may cause including limiting the most impactful works to daylight hours and utilising noise-reducing equipment where possible.
More information is available on the ARTC website. Community members can also contact ARTC Enviroline on 1300 550 402 or email enviroline@artc.com.au for any further questions.
Simon Ormsby, ARTC Group Executive Interstate Network, said:
“This Super Possession allows us to complete a large number of jobs right along the main railway between Moss Vale and Melbourne to maintain a high standard of safety and reliability across the network.”
“With no freight or passenger trains running on the weekend, our crews will be able to complete more than 20,000 hours of work, from on the track to various structures and infrastructure and other work that is not possible when trains are running.”
“ARTC would like to thank the community for its patience while these critical, long-term improvements take place.”
Nick Miller, Chief Executive Officer at Inland Rail, said:
“During this track possession Inland Rail will be undertaking important works in both Victoria and New South Wales as we continue to build on the strong progress we are making on meeting our objective of delivering the Beveridge to Parkes section by 2027.
“We are already making excellent progress on the Victorian section of Inland Rail and this possession will see further important works take place in Glenrowan and Wangaratta and we are also working on appointing the contractor for the second tranche of Inland Rail works in Victoria in the coming months.
“In New South Wales we have already completed the Parkes to Narromine section, have finished major construction on Phase 1 of Narrabri to North Star and are now making good progress on the Stockinbingal to Parkes section, with approvals progressing for Albury to Illabo and Illabo to Stockinbingal.”
ENDS
ARTC Media: 1300 196 401