INTERSTATE
Key projects this year that
led to better reliability and
growth were:
••
Re-railing between Albury
and Geelong to allow the
operation of 25 tonne axle
load trains.
••
The substantial completion
of the concrete sleeper
program between Broken
Hill and Parkes in New South
Wales effectively completing
concrete resleepering over
the entire Interstate network.
••
Commissioning of three
bi-directional passing
lanes at Picton, Glenlee
and Menangle Park south
of Sydney to provide
operational flexibility.
••
New crossing loops were
commissioned at Callington
and Bordertown for the East
West traffic.
PROJECT DELIVERY
Recognising that operational
limitations from fouled
ballast conditions on the
Sydney‑Melbourne line
clearly impacts on achieving
the business objectives, the
Interstate network division has
developed and started delivering
a Ballast Rehabilitation Program
valued at $134 million.
Whilst funded over five years,
the majority of the program
will be completed in the first
18 months. This will achieve
a significant improvement by
eliminating operating restric-
tions and impacts on customers.
Independently of the Ballast
Rehabilitation Program, the
Australian Transport Safety
Bureau (ATSB) were asked
by the Federal Government
to undertake a systemic
investigation of rail operations
on this line.
ARTC is fully co-operating
with the investigation and is
awaiting the release of the final
report into the matter.
MELBOURNE
TO SYDNEY
23
