ARTC has successfully delivered a major milestone on the Sydney-Narromine-Albury Cabling Upgrade (SNACU) project, with commissioning completed on a key section between Joppa Junction and Cullerin.
The SNACU project is upgrading aged and at-risk signalling infrastructure on the Main South Line in NSW, replacing legacy aerial line wire that has long supported signalling operations.
As part of the latest works, 29km of re-signalled track has been brought into service – helping reduce the risk of unplanned outages, lower future maintenance costs, and improve network reliability for train operators.
Commissioning activities included extensive testing of the new signalling system, with locomotives used to validate critical functions such as rail vehicle detection, signal aspect sequencing and interlocking to ensure safe and reliable performance. Old line wire was also decommissioned, removing ageing assets vulnerable to theft and weather-related failures.
The milestone follows extensive enabling works delivered in challenging site conditions, including the construction of culverts, retaining structures, access platforms and roadways to support both delivery and ongoing maintenance.
“This wasn’t a straightforward signalling upgrade. The team had to overcome a range of site and environmental challenges, and their ability to adapt and deliver is a real credit to everyone involved,” said Adrian Karsten, ARTC Project Manager.
The SNACU project team’s focus now turns to the next phase of delivery – Aylmerton to Mittagong works, which will re-signal approximately 14km of track between Yerrinbool and Mittagong.
