Early works forge ahead on remaining VIC Inland Rail section

Early works on the second tranche of the Victorian section of Inland Rail will forge ahead following the appointment of John Holland to undertake early commencement works (ECW) and early delivery activities. 

The contract award for the Beveridge to Albury – Tranche 2 section includes design and preparatory works at Benalla, Euroa, Wandong, Hume Freeway – Tallarook and Seymour as well as three sites in Broadford on the existing North East Rail Line, allowing the safe passage of double-stack freight trains. 

John Holland will now carry out site investigations and progress design work, with activities including geotechnical investigations, ground water monitoring and additional surveys along with the development of key management plans. 

“We know that expanding the nation’s rail freight network creates safer and less congested roads and minimises carbon emissions. 

“Projects like these also create jobs and allows us to work with local businesses, leaving a positive legacy for regional communities. 

“This builds on our proud and longstanding partnership with ARTC to deliver transformative rail projects across the country, allowing us to leverage our skills and experience in providing end-to-end rail solutions,” John Holland Executive General Manager Steve Butcher said. 

The Beveridge to Albury section of Inland Rail will involve upgrading about 262 kilometres of existing rail track between Beveridge, north of Melbourne, and the Victoria-New South Wales border at Albury-Wodonga. 

This section has 12 sites along the North East Rail Line and works are going to be delivered in two parts, called ‘tranches’. Tranche 1 will consist of four sites and its construction is undertaken by McConnell Dowell. Meanwhile, Tranche 2 consists of eight sites. 

Inland Rail is expecting to appoint a construction partner for the remaining Victorian sites by mid-2024. Major construction is anticipated to begin in early 2025 and be completed in 2027. 

The overall Inland Rail is a 1,600-kilometre rail line that connects Melbourne to Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. The development involves upgrades or enhancements to about 1,000 kilometres of existing track and the construction of 600 kilometres of new track. 

“Inland Rail is getting on with delivering the project. 

“We’ve selected John Holland based on their experience delivering major civil and rail projects including Inland Rail Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 last year and the North East Rail Line Upgrade (NERL) in 2021. They are also responsible for delivering Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel Project and Sydney Metro. 

“Over the coming weeks local communities will see the John Holland team on Tranche 2 sites carrying out early works for new bridges, track lowers and station modifications. 

“Inland Rail will look for every opportunity to involve people and businesses in the project, to maximise the economic and social benefits for communities along the route,” Inland Rail Program Delivery Director for Beveridge to Albury section Ed Walker said. 

Source: John Holland; Inland Rail (1, 2); Roads & Infrastructure Australia; Infrastructure Magazine