EOIs released for Narrabri to North Star section of Inland Rail

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) - the project delivery team for the Inland Rail project - has released two separate Expressions of Interest to build the 171-kilometre section of Inland Rail between Narrabri and North Star in New South Wales and to deliver about 1.44 million sleepers.

“Inland Rail is already securing jobs for regional Australians. The benefits of Inland Rail will be felt far beyond the route as businesses come on board to build this essential link in our national supply chain.

“This once-in-a-generation project will complete the backbone of the national freight network by providing a transit time of 24 hours or less for freight trains between Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland,” ARTC Inland Rail Chief Executive Richard Wankmuller said.

For this project, the existing rail corridor and track between Narrabri and North Star are going to be utilised, and other works to be done will include:

• Reconstruction of the existing track
• Construction of a new section of rail line at Camurra to bypass the existing hairpin curve
• Re-establishment and/or expansion of drainage works next to the track
• Level crossing works
• Replacement of existing culverts and bridges the Mehi River, Gwydir River and Croppa Creek
• Establishment of five crossing loops
• Minor changes to track alignments at Bellata, Gurley and Moree stations
• Delivery of a new road bridge over the existing rail corridor over the Newell Highway near Bellata

Narrabri to North Star alignment (source: Australian Rail Track Corporation)

ARTC is committed to providing opportunities for local companies, businesses and job seekers who are interested in taking part in the delivery of Inland Rail.

“Inland Rail is creating opportunities for regions to connect to cities and businesses to markets. With a project of this size comes numerous prospects for people, businesses and communities to profit and prosper,” Mr Wankmuller said.

In Central West New South Wales, a number of businesses will benefit from the flow of work from Inland Rail. This will include opportunities for services such as concrete supply, transportation, fencing, earthmoving, drainage, electrical works, security and water bore drilling.

The Inland Rail is Australia’s largest freight rail infrastructure project that will deliver a 1,700-kilometre rail line through 13 projects - one in Victoria, seven in New South Wales and five in Queensland - and will create approximately 16,000 jobs during peak construction and another 700 jobs once Inland Rail is operational.

The first train is anticipated to begin running on Inland Rail in 2025. The trains are going to be double stacked and be up to 1,800 metres long, increasing each train’s payload and making it more efficient, cost competitive and will help reduce carbon emissions.

Want to stay up to date with the latest industry news and project updates? Subscribe to Felix Project News today.

Source: Australian Rail Track Corporation (1, 2, 3); Inside Construction; Roads & Infrastructure Australia; Rail Express; Infrastructure Magazine