83 kilometre Inland Rail section now open

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has opened 83 kilometres of upgraded Inland Rail track between Moree and Narrabri, in regional New South Wales.

Connecting Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, the 1,700km Inland Rail project will better connect businesses, manufacturers and producers to national and global markets and create new opportunities for Australian industries and regional communities.

ARTC Inland Rail carried out works to construct new embankments, bridges and drainage culverts, replaced existing sleepers with concrete sleepers and laid new ballast and steel tracks for the rail section.

Bulk earthworks to rebuild the track foundation were also completed to boost the flood immunity of the rail line, which proved resilient during recent inclement weather in the region.

In addition, safety has been enhanced at 57 level crossings along the alignment to achieve compliance with current Australian and ARTC standards.

With trains now running on this section of track for the first time in seven months, ARTC is urging people travelling on roads to take extra care near the rail line and at all level crossings.

A further ten level crossings have been upgraded from passive to active controls – meaning they now have boom barriers, bells and flashing lights. All crossings now have bigger and brighter signage, upgraded road approaches and new rubber crossing panels, which reduce the time it takes for a vehicle to traverse the level crossing.

Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the opening of the section upgrade would support a more efficient and connected national freight network.

“Farmers in North West New South Wales gearing up for another busy harvest year will benefit from 83km of new track on the Narrabri to North Star section of Inland Rail which will support the movement of grain to export ports on Australia’s east coast,” King said.

Inland Rail Narrabri to North Star (N2NS) Project Director Peter Borrelli said the national project has so far provided employment for 1930 people, including 623 locals.

“Inland Rail’s construction between Narrabri and North Star has seen approximately 281,554 sleepers laid, 4,776 culverts installed, seven new bridge structures built and 168.5km of track installed,” Borrelli said.

“With trains now running for the first time in over seven months, we are urging the community to make sure they take extra care near the rail line and at all level crossings – stop, look, listen and then cross.”

For more information on the Narrabri to N2NS Project, click here.

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