INTERSTATE
LOOKING
AHEAD
The Interstate network will present the greatest challenge to road
freight yet with the completion of a series of projects in the next
financial year that will unlock capacity, reduce transit time and provide
a more reliable transit through the Sydney metropolitan rail network.
In early 2013 the 36 km Southern Sydney Freight Line will open,
allowing freight trains to avoid the congested RailCorp main
southern line, allowing freight trains a dedicated freight route
between Macarthur and Sefton Park Junction, and for the first time,
eliminate peak-period freight curfews.
Connecting directly from the Southern Sydney Freight Line, is the
Sydney Metropolitan Freight Network (MFN).*
The $172 million Port Botany rail line upgrade, being delivered as
part of the MFN project, is already substantially implemented with
completion on track for 2014. Centralised control from ARTC’s
Network Control Centre South will provide for seamless control
of trains between ARTC’s Melbourne-Sydney line, Port Botany,
Chullora, and future terminals at Enfield and Moorebank. Upgraded
track and signalling will provide a major boost to capacity to and
from Port Botany to cater for increases in port rail volumes.
These projects, along with the completion of the Hexham Loop as
the first stage of the Northern Sydney Freight Corridor upgrade and
the substantial completion of the ballast works between Melbourne
and Sydney by the end of 2012‑13, will position the Interstate network
front and centre for our nation’s biggest producers andmanufacturers.
Unlocking freight capacity
in the Sydney Metropolitan
Freight Network (MFN)
THE SOUTHERN SYDNEY FREIGHT LINE WILL BOOST
RELIABILITY, OPEN UP ADDITIONAL ARRIVAL AND
DEPARTURE TIMES FOR FREIGHT SERVICES AND
INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FREIGHT SERVICES ABLE TO
BE SCHEDULED ON THAT ROUTE.
* Transferred to ARTC control in August 2012.
24
