Basin rail project hits next stage
The State Government has listed upgrades on an Ararat to Maryborough line and Merbein and Donald sidings in the next stage of a Murray Darling Basin Project.
The government has awarded a contract for the works to an alliance including ACCIONA, Coleman Rail and SMEC, supported by Rail Projects Victoria and V-line.
Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said significant planning, design and industry consultation took place in 2021 in preparation for works on the Ararat to Maryborough line.
She added the work stage was scheduled to be complete by the end of the year and a modern signalling system V-line was installing at Ararat junction to improve safety, efficiency and reduce transit time through the junction, were underway.
She said design work and procurement was also underway on further upgrades, including new crossing loops and sidings, improvements to Maryborough and Dunolly junctions and signalling upgrades.
“Crews recently completed 109 kilometres of re-sleepering and ballast installation,” she said.
“It is estimated this stage of the project, which has involved more than 130 workers on site, is bringing over $200,000 a month to the region in spending on accommodation, food and hospitality.”
The Murray Basin Rail Project has so far involved replacing more than 57,000 sleepers and installation of 30,000 tonnes of ballast.
The government expects these works to be complete by mid-2022 and to remove most of the speed and heat restrictions which have limited use of the line.
Ms Allan said the works program would enable 49 train paths on the Murray Basin network, up from the current 28 paths, and remove an estimated 20,000 truck trips off the road.
An additional $195.2-million investment from the Federal Government and $48.8-million from the State Government is providing a revised scope of works for the Murray Basin Rail Project.
“These vital works will allow us to move more freight onto rail – boosting the safety, capacity and reliability of services and better connecting primary producers to our major ports,” Ms Allan said.
“Our investment in Victoria’s freight network will enable trains to travel faster, carry more and run more often – meaning we can move more product and create more jobs for Victorians.”
Business case
Rail Freight Alliance, meanwhile, has welcomed a Federal Government commitment to fund a business case to upgrade a 172-kilometre Maroona to Portland line.
RFA chair Glenn Milne said the alliance had long advocated for an upgrading of the line.
“We are cautiously optimistic that finally this line will be brought up to standard. This line has been overlooked for too long,” he said.
“This line links the western half of Victoria to the national grid and Port of Portland, creating a pathway to export some of Australia’s most productive farmland and mineral deposits.
“The upgrading of this line will create rail competition at the ports of Geelong, Melbourne and Portland, increasing international competitiveness and creating jobs and investment in local state and national economies.”