A Queensland based company has been awarded the contract to upgrade 18 aging rail bridges on the West Moreton rail network between Ipswich and Chinchilla.
Moggill Construction will complete the $28 million project which will improving the safety and reliability of the bridges.
QLD Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey, said, “Each year approximately 7,000 passenger and freight trains travel on this line, supporting the local tourism economy, agriculture and resource sectors.
“The West Moreton system is a critical link for rail services from Brisbane to the west and south west communities of the state and is a major artery to the Darling Downs, which is predominantly used to transport thermal coal and grains.
“This project will kick off in March and will include replacing 18 timber rail bridges with stronger, more durable steel girders to improve the reliability of the West Moreton rail line and also significantly reduce the time spent on maintenance.”
The upgrade works are expected to be begin in March 2018 and be completed by 2020 , significantly reducing time and costs spent on maintenance and inspections.
The new project follows the upgrade of five timber rail bridges on the Ipswich/Rosewood line at Karrabin, Walloon, Rosewood, Sadliers Crossing and Thagoona which were replaced with more durable, concrete structures between 2015-2016 to improve the reliability and safety of services on this rail corridor.
