Re-railing works begin on $252M Adelaide to Tarcoola upgrade project

The first tracks have been laid on the $252 million Adelaide to Tarcoola Rail Upgrade Acceleration project as major re-railing works begin.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack said the re-railing works would deliver long-lasting productivity benefits to the national supply chain.

“The direct employment opportunities and increased demand for a variety of local goods and services generated will provide the Eyre Peninsula and South Australian economy with a major boost” Mr McCormack said.

“Importantly the project will vastly improve rail freight productivity by delivering more goods to markets faster, building local economies and creating local jobs.”

“Infrastructure company John Holland is on board and upskilling local workers through its own training program,” he said.

Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said great progress had been made in recent months with dozens of train services unloading steel rail sections right along the length of the route.

“Site mobilisation and welding works started in February 2018 and rail installation is scheduled to take place through to the second half of 2019,” Mr Ramsey said.

“The project continues to deliver additional works such as level crossing and structural improvements between Adelaide and Tarcoola to support the planned increase in freight train axle load limits.

“To date over 43,600 tonnes of steel procured from Liberty OneSteel has been delivered to the Port Augusta Flashbutt facility—over half of the total order—and a total of 324 kilometres of track has been delivered to site for installation.”

The project will upgrade approximately 600 kilometres of standard gauge rail track between Adelaide and Tarcoola, by replacing 47 kilogram per metre rail with stronger 60 kilogram per kilometre rail which allows for 25 tonne axle load limits.

For more information about the project, visit https://www.artc.com.au/projects/adelaide-tarcoola-re-railing-upgrade.