The New South Wales Government has invested approximately $30.3 million to deliver improvements on the Bathurst to Parkes rail line that will help boost capacity to rail freight and passenger services as well as lay the foundations for future works to meet the transport demands in the Central West region.
The significant investment includes $12.6 million to build a new loop at Pinecliffe and $17.7 million to upgrade existing crossing loops at Polona and Bumberry.
Crossing loops are considered the equivalent of overtaking lanes on roads, and these loops will enable modern and longer freight trains to pass each other safely.
“We know how valuable projects like these are to rail freight operators in reducing congestion and improving reliability – and ultimately bringing down supply chain costs.
“All loops will be controlled by modern remote electronic signalling allowing more freight services to operate on this section of the network without disrupting passenger services,” Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, and Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said.
At Pinecliffe, a new 1,800-metre loop has been built and is already operational. On the other hand, the existing loop at Poloma has been extended from 900 metres to 1,800 metres and construction on another 800-metre crossing loop extension at Bumberry is now underway.
These projects are anticipated to support hundreds of jobs at peak construction.
According to Chairman of The Freight on Rail Group Dean Dalla Valle, these works to increase rail capacity are welcome news for the industry.
“Projects like these are critical to delivering reliable, efficient rail freight industry needs with the NSW regional freight task expected to increase 12 per cent in the next 15 years,” Mr Valle said.
John Holland is undertaking the works on the crossing loops in behalf of Transport for NSW.
Weather permitting, works on the crossing loop extension at Bumberry are due to completed in early 2022.
Source: Transport for NSW; Parkes Champion Post; The Nationals for Regional NSW