Train operators and freight owners are set to benefit from almost 50 minutes of transit time improvement between Sydney and Melbourne following the successful completion of key works during ARTC’s latest possession.
Works were carried out from 27 February to 2 March between Chullora Junction in NSW and Somerton in Victoria, including track reconditioning, signalling upgrades, vegetation removal, mudhole remediation, track ballasting and tamping, re-sleepering, rail defect removal, turnout component renewal and level crossing track works. New culverts were also installed at Yanderra and Yerrinbool.
“The possession delivered a highly productive outcome for the Sydney-Melbourne corridor, targeting reliability, transit time uplift and long-term asset resilience,” said Damien Benn, ARTC Manager Major Maintenance.
“Across the corridor, the underlying defects at 21 TSR (temporary speed restriction) locations were successfully removed, delivering a forecast 49.8 minutes of transit time improvement between Sydney and Melbourne once final consolidation activities are complete and the TSRs are formally lifted. This represents a significant uplift in corridor performance and positions the network for measurable improvements in service reliability.”
