The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) will invest more than $4 million worth of infrastructure renewal and annual maintenance improvement works across North East Victoria.
Nearly 40 projects targeting everything from track resurfacing to bridge upgrades and level crossing improvements are part of the works package planned to be delivered in mid March 2018.
“Every year, we conduct targeted maintenance works during a ‘shutdown’ period – where fewer or no trains are running – this allows project works to be delivered far more safely and efficiently,” ARTC’s Group Executive Interstate, Jonathan Vandervoort said.
“Planned months in advance, the works will support the reliability of our passenger customers and growing freight operations along the rail network.
“It is important we approach maintenance in a careful, staged and planned manner in the context of all rail operations and the needs of the entire network.
“This is particularly relevant for North East Victoria which serves valuable freight and passenger services operating across the national interstate rail freight network, from Melbourne to Albury and beyond.
“A new freight rail customer operating out of Logic intermodal hub has already gone from three services to five services per week in under a year, demonstrating continued confidence in the rail network meeting customer needs.”
The $4 million renewal maintenance in March 2018 includes $3 million for replacement of seven bridges, which is part of the scope of works for the Federal Government’s $100 million committed to the North East Rail Line.
With the scope nearing agreement, ARTC will work alongside Victorian agencies to talk with the community about the detail of the scope, with additional work likely to begin in the middle of 2018.
Works include:
- Approximately 40km of track will be resurfaced (tamped and regulated/compacted)
- Seven existing bridges are planned to be upgraded with new concrete ballast top decks replacing aging timber decks and transoms
- Five level crossings will have track reconditioning and road resurfacing works undertaken improving ride quality for both road and rail users
- Approximately 500m of mud holes will be removed
- V-crossing build ups and replacements will be undertaken to increase asset life and improve ride quality
- Inland Rail will perform early phase geotechnical investigations at Murray Valley Highway near Barnawartha
- VicTrack will commission into use two new level crossings with boom protection
