The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) is set to carry out maintenance and improvement works on the North Coast line and the Hunter Valley network.
Works will be undertaken across various sites on the North Coast line from Telarah in New South Wales to Acacia Ridge in Queensland from 3 August to 5 August.
Additionally, the track between Werris Creek and Narrabri will be closed from 2 August, and the rest of the rail line from Werris Creek to Newcastle and west to Ulan will be closed from 2 August until the network reopens on 6 August.
More than 5,000 hours of work will be completed on the North Coast line including ballasting and re-sleepering, maintenance and upgrading of structures, rerailing and track maintenance, level crossing track works, mud hole removal, and vegetation control.
On the Hunter Valley line, more than 900 maintenance activities will be completed, including ballast cleaning, track reconditioning, bridge construction, structure, track and signalling maintenance and vegetation control, which will keep the network running safely and efficiently.
The shutdown will also allow for the removal and replacement of the Gap Bridge at Werris Creek.
ARTC crews will minimise the impact of the work wherever possible, including positioning light towers to shine away from residences, watering down work areas and limiting the number of machines operating at any one time.
ARTC is reminding motorists and pedestrians to remain vigilant for altered traffic conditions near the rail corridor, pay attention to signage and to obey all road rules at level crossings, with rail machinery active on rail lines.
ARTC Operations Acting Group Executive, Clinton Crump, said that regular maintenance ensures that the North Coast line continues to operate as a vital part of the economic supply chain and provide travel connections to communities throughout New South Wales and south east Queensland.
Mr Crump said that the program of works is designed to minimise disruption to passenger and freight services and that the ARTC would like to thank the North Coast community for its patience while these critical, long-term improvements take place.
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