Modernisation of Melbourne-Sydney-Brisbane rail corridor closer to completion after finalisation of NSW upgrade
The modernisation of the Melbourne-Sydney- Brisbane rail corridor is closer to completion after the finalisation of a $1.4 million upgrade at Killawarra in northern NSW.
The upgrade involved replacing one of the existing “turnouts” to allow for an increased entry speed of 50km/h, as well as some track realignment.
The realignment works were brought forward due to an increase in federal government funds under the Economic Stimulus Package.
Australian Track Corporation (ARTC) Chief Executive Officer David Marchant says the upgrade is the biggest rail project to be carried out since the track was originally laid over 100 years ago, and should go a long way in making rail more competitive along the east coast.
“The upgrade of the Killawarra passing loop is another important milestone in the north- south strategy to cut transit times from Melbourne to Sydney by 20 percent or two hours 50 minutes and by three hours 50 minutes between Sydney and Brisbane,” Marchant says.