More Rail Projects Completed

Wednesday, 10 February 2010

A key milestone in the modernisation of the East West rail corridor has been reached with two new passing loops between Kalgoorlie and the Western Australia/South Australia border now completed.

Part of the Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan, each project involved the construction of a new 1850 metre passing loop and turnouts as well as the laying of 3000 new concrete sleepers and four kilometres of new track.

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) received $23 million to build four new passing loops, as well as extend an existing loop on the line between Adelaide and Kalgoorlie, to cater for much longer trains of up to 1,500 metres, which can carry as much freight as 100 semi-trailers.

ARTC CEO David Marchant said the Corporation is pushing forward with its plans to upgrade the East West corridor and make rail more competitive, with the new passing loops expected to cut transit time and expand capacity on the line between Perth and Adelaide.

The ARTC delivered the projects in partnership with Transfield Services.

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