Truss grants $15m for passing loop extensions

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Rail Express --> Truss grants $15m for passing loop extensions

The Federal Government will fund the extension of five passing loops across Victoria and South Australia as part of a plan to boost east-west freight efficiency.

Infrastructure and regional development minister Warren Truss on Monday announced the $15 million plan, which he said will help drive a 20% boost to rail freight capacity across the Victoria, South Australia and WA.

Passing loops at Mile End in South Australia, and Pyrenees, Murtoa, Pimpinio and Diapur in Victoria will be extended to allow for 1800-metre trains.

Construction works to start at Pyrenees later this week.

Truss said with rail dominating the supply chain for Australia's east-west freight, the government's investment will make interstate freight more efficient.

"Our $15 million loops extension project will cement rail's position as a reliable, cost effective and sustainable transport mode," Truss said.

"By facilitating longer 1800-metre trains, we will enable an expected 20% increase in capacity for each rail freight service at little additional cost to operators, ultimately, enhancing the competiveness of Australian businesses."

The minister, who as leader of the Nationals is also the deputy PM, said rail has around 80% of the land transport market from east to west in Australia. "Many Australian businesses rely on this corridor to service substantial WA markets," he said.

"Making rail more productive and competitive makes economic sense because reducing costs in the supply chain leads to cheaper goods on the store shelf for Australian consumers."

Australian Rail Track Corporation boss John Fullerton said the larger passing loops would allow for more frequent use of longer trains.

"We already have a limited number of 1800-metre trains operating in the Melbourne to Adelaide section each week," Fullerton outlined, "but these longer passing lanes – in conjunction with the Torrens Junction separation planned by the Australian and SA governments – will allow high productivity trains to run in both directions."

Fullerton said the funding was the result of careful analysis by the ARTC, as well as consultation with customers, and an assessment of the benefit of new Centralised Train Control (CTC) signalling, which has been implemented between Port Augusta and Tarcoola in South Australia.

"With market demand shifting, the extended passing loops directly respond to customer feedback and will provide greater economic value and additional capacity for our Interstate operations."

The project is should be completed by midway through 2016.