Joint Statement: North Coast Rail Upgrade: Rappville Project Completed

[ozbob]

MEDIA RELEASE
The Hon Anthony Albanese MP
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
   

09 August 2011
AA146/2011 Joint
Joint Media Statement
http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2011/August/AA146_2011.htm

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport    
   
John Fullerton
Chief Executive Officer, Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC)

North Coast Rail Upgrade: Rappville Project Completed

The elimination of sharp bends along the Interstate Rail Network between Newcastle and the Queensland border is progressing well with work on yet another section of track now completed.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said by straightening the line so trains can use it at higher speeds safely, the $170 million North Coast Curve Easing Project will shave almost an hour off transit times along Australia's east coast.

"The latest section of track to be fixed is at Rappville south of Casino, with the entire project expected to be completed on time and on budget by the end of this year," said Mr Albanese.

"All up, the Gillard Labor Government is investing an unprecedented $3.4 billion to modernise the Interstate Network, a capital works program that is rebuilding more than a third of this critical piece of infrastructure - or 3,771 kilometres of existing track - and extending its reach by a further 235 kilometres.

"Building a faster, safer and more reliable rail network is central to our broader efforts to boost national productivity and reduce Australia's carbon pollution."

See attached map for more details about the upgrade of the Interstate Rail Network.

Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) CEO John Fullerton said the curve easing program was a key aspect of his organisation's strategy to reduce transit times, increase capacity and build a highly reliable rail network.

"By allowing trains to travel at more consistent speeds, we can reduce transit time, increase capacity and build reliability into the North South rail link. Overall the project has the potential to cut almost an hour off the transit time between Sydney and Brisbane," said Mr Fullerton.

"As a result of the work we've already completed on the North Coast line, our new timetables are revealing significant time savings between the East Coast capitals.

"Other benefits of the curve easing programme will be a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a reduction in above and below rail maintenance costs and the overall improved competitiveness of rail freight.

"This is not only good news for the economy but also for the local community, with every 1,500 metre long train taking up to 100 trucks off local North Coast roads."

[Stillwater]

Now the kinks in the NSW North Coast Line have been ironed out, maybe it is time for the Commonwealth to kick the can for much-needed funds to realign Queensland's North Coast Line.  South of Maryborough it is the busiest section of single track in Australia, while freight operations are hampered by short freight trains that, combined, carry 11 million tonnes of revenue-raising cargo every year.

[somebody]

I think the money is more needed (or at least just as much) in the Sydney-Newcastle bit rather than the Newcastle-Qld bit.  Why is it not proceeding?  Seems to be because RailCorp own the tracks, rather than ARTC.

Still, good that these kinks are being straightened out which should improve the competitiveness of rail freight on the Mel-Bris and Syd-Bris corridors.