NSW freight rail projects to create up to 500 construction jobs

Two freight rail projects that will help ease congestion on some of Sydney’s busiest roads are being fast-tracked towards construction, with the New South Wales Government approving new detailed plans for both developments.

The Botany Rail Duplication and Cabramatta Loop projects are set to provide better freight rail movement and help the region meet future freight demand.

“As the state’s largest container port, the efficient operation of Port Botany is critical. Forecasts predict a whopping 77 per cent increase in the amount of freight in handles from 14.4 million tonnes in 2016 to 25.5 million tonnes by 2036.

“For every extra freight train travelling on the Botany line, up to 54 trucks can be taken off Sydney’s roads,” Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said.

With assessments fast-tracked for both projects, construction is expected to commence within the next six months.

“These projects are crucial because more freight is moved on rail lines and congestion is busted with fewer trucks on our roads.

“This project will not only provide new rail infrastructure, but will inject around $400 million into the economy and create around 500 local jobs during construction,” Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said.

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) will be delivering both projects, with the Cabramatta Loop Project expected to be completed by mid-2023 and the Botany Rail Duplication due to be completed in late-2024.

These projects are the latest developments to be identified through the State Government’s Planning System Acceleration Program to help keep people in jobs as well as the economy moving through the coronavirus pandemic.

The Botany Rail Duplication will include:

• Track duplication, including the construction of new track predominantly within the rail corridor for about 3 kilometres
• Track realignment and upgrading, which involves moving some section of track sideways (slewing) and upgrading some sections of track to improve the alignment of both tracks and minimise impacts to adjoining land uses
• New crossovers, including building new bridge structures at Mill Stream, Southern Cross Drive, O’Riordan Street and Robey Street (adjacent to the existing bridges), and rebuilding the existing bridges at Robey Street and O’Riordan Street
• Embankment/retaining structures, including the construction of a new embankment and retaining structures adjacent to Qantas Drive between Robey and O’Riordan streets and a new embankment between the Mill Stream and Botany Road bridges
• Ancillary work, including bi-directional signalling upgrades, drainage work and protecting/relocating utilities

Botany Rail Duplication project plan (source: ARTC)

On the other hand, the Cabramatta Loop Project will include:

• New rail track that will provide a 1.65-kilometre-long section of new track adjacent to the existing track, with connections to the existing track at the northern and southern ends
• Track realignment by moving about 550 metres of existing track sideways to make room for the new track
• Bridge works, including the construction of two new bridges adjacent to the existing rail bridges over Sussex Street and Cabramatta Creek
• Road works, including reconfiguring Broomfield Street for about 680 metres between Sussex and Bridge streets
• Ancillary works including communication, signalling and power upgrades; works to existing retaining and noise walls; drainage works; and protecting/relocating utilities
• Minor works such as new signalling installed at a number of locations within the rail corridor

Cabramatta Loop Project plan (source: ARTC)

Source: Transport for NSW; Australian Rail Track Corporation (1, 2)