East-west rail corridor upgrade progressing strongly

Thursday, 11 March 2010

The modernisation of the East-West rail corridor continues, following completion of the upgrade of the passing loop at Coomandook on the line between Melbourne and Adelaide.

Funded through the Australian Government’s Economic Stimulus Plan, the $4.5 million project extended the existing loop to cater for longer trains, and installed new rail, sleepers and signalling technology.

The Australian Rail Track Corporation, in partnership with Transfield Services, delivered the works and is also being funded to extend and upgrade another six passing loops on the line between Melbourne and Adelaide.

With 80 per cent of the freight that moves between Australia’s east and west coasts travelling by rail, the upgrades to the line are vital.

The seven new longer passing loops are expected to further cut transit times, expand the line’s capacity and make rail even more competitive.

View all News