A major upgrade to South Australia’s rail network from Adelaide to Tarcoola has begun which aims to speed up the movement of freight trains in the state
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the upgrade will involve replacing the old rail with heavier, stronger steel supplied by Arrium’s steelworks in Whyalla, South Australia.
“We are boosting the economy and saving money for freight companies by upgrading this 1,200 kilometres of rail to move more freight, faster between Adelaide and Tarcoola,” Mr Chester said.
Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) Chief Executive John Fullerton said, “The existing rail between Adelaide and Tarcoola has been nearing its end of life and the new rail delivered by this contract will allow rail operators to carry heavier wagons of freight at faster speeds.
“This means ongoing benefits from this project for Australian businesses and ultimately, consumers,” Mr Fullerton said.
The contract between ARTC and the administrators of Arrium, KordaMentha, is for approximately 73,000 tonnes of steel.
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said, “The contract helps secure an order of steel worth tens of millions of dollars, providing added volume through the Whyalla Steelworks and creating up to 130 direct and indirect local jobs on the re-railing project.
“By supporting the Whyalla steelworks we are also supporting thousands of local jobs in Whyalla and the Peninsula.
“This project is a direct injection into the local economy while also securing our state’s strategic manufacturing capability—the Coalition Government is getting things moving and securing jobs.”
The Australian Government is fully funding the re-railing of Adelaide to Tarcoola.
