Hunter Valley
Track Access
Contracts Signed
ARTC entered into its
first contracts with
coal producers for
mine to port access to
the Hunter Valley rail
network. Following
the Australian
Competition
and Consumer
Commission (ACCC)
approval of the ARTC
Hunter Valley Access
Undertaking in July
2011, ARTC entered
into new access
contracts with three
Gunnedah Basin
producers.
19 .
AUGUST
. 2011
The upgrade of the pass-
ing loops on the Ulan
Line connecting Gulgong
to the Port of Newcastle
via Muswellbrook is
progressing in line with
capacity demands.
Partially funded as
part of the Economic
Stimulus Plan, the $75
million program has
built new passing loops
at Bylong, Worondi,
Aerosol Valley and
Radio Hut.
57
M
$
ULAN LINE UPGRADE
COMPLETED
19 .
AUGUST
. 2011
NOVEMBER
. 2011
Hunter Valley floods
Extensive flood damage was
experienced in late November
on the Werris Creek – North
Star section of the Hunter
Valley network. Approximately
15 large sections of track
between Moree and Croppa
Creek were washed away
during the intense rainfall
events. ARTC staff were
mobilised to repair these
locations and the works were
staged over a six week period
to assist in keeping costs to
a minimum. Train traffic was
largely unaffected as this
section of track services mainly
grain traffic.
17 .
AUGUST
. 2011
ARTC continued its drive to
upgrade the Hunter Valley Coal
corridor with the construction of
a new passing loop at Koolbury,
between Muswellbrook and Scone.
17.5
M
$
KOOLBURY PASSING LOOP
1350
m
ACCOMMODATING TRAINS AS LONG AS
17 .
AUGUST
. 2011
Australian
Transport
Safety Bureau
investigation
into the
condition of
the Sydney
to Melbourne
track began.
11 .
OCTOBER
. 2011
The elimination of sharp bends along
the Interstate rail network between
Newcastle and the Queensland
border is progressing on schedule
with track between Rappville and
Leeville now straightened. Once this
project is complete trains will be
able to run at higher speeds along
this busy part of the network along
Australia’s east coast.
$
105.6
M
NORTH COAST CURVE EASING PROJECT
1
HOUR
WILL CUT TRANSIT TIME BY ALMOST
13
