Inland Rail major works are under way
Major construction works on Inland Rail’s Stockinbingal to Parkes section are progressing on schedule, with principal contractor Martinus Rail making progress across multiple sites during a local track shut down over the weekend.
September 17, 2024
The works are being carried out during a 100-hour shut down which has closed the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) line from Forbes to Goobang Junction from 6am on Saturday, 14 September, until 10am on Wednesday 18 September.
Workers across sites in and around Forbes have been working round the clock to progress major construction and return the line to operation.
Work got under way last Friday 13 September, at 6pm, ahead of the shutdown and will finish after the shut down, at 7am on Thursday 19 September.
At Daroobalgie, north of Forbes, new turnouts are being installed at the new crossing loop location, preparations for which included earthworks, drainage and ballast installation, while at Wyndham Avenue, Forbes, the existing track under the road bridge is being lowered by 1.5 metres, with 320 metres of track being rebuilt using more than 500 sleepers and 1000 tonnes of stone ballast.
Track and turnouts laying machinery – known as PEMs – work in unison to install rails at Daroobalgie during this week’s rail possession.
The track at Forbes Station is being slewed laterally by more than half a metre, while the station awning is being trimmed by 300mm to enable the safe passing of double-stacked freight trains.
Scaffolding has been installed on the Lachlan River Bridge, ahead of bridge modifications that will take place after the possession.
A 30-metre exclusion zone is being enforced at the bridge due to the nature of the work, and environmental controls have been established to protect the waterway and riverbanks.
Inland Rail has spent more than $6.5 million with 85 local businesses on the project between Albury and Parkes since July last year.
Since 2018, the Inland Rail project has spent more than $470 million with local businesses, with 676 local firms supplying the project and 744 tradies providing their skills.
James Kennedy, Delivery Director, Albury to Parkes (Albury to Illabo and Illabo to Stocinbingal sections), Inland Rail, said:
“The work being carried out takes a great deal of preparation behind the scenes so that we can achieve as much as possible during this period.
“It is vital that we work safely, minimise inconvenience to the community and protect the environment.
“Teams from Inland Rail and Martinus have been collaborating to achieve all of these goals as we progress toward delivering Inland Rail South of Parkes by the end of 2027.
“I would like to thank community members for their patience and understanding while we have been carrying out construction on this major nation-building project.”
Treaven Martinus, Martinus Rail CEO and founder, said:
“As we advance work across various sites, Martinus’s commitment to efficiency is on full display.
“From the installation of sleepers, rail and ballast, to the precise tamping and regulating operations, our teams are managing the complexities of brownfield railway works with meticulous planning and safety at the forefront.
“We deeply appreciate the community’s understanding during this critical phase, as our teams work tirelessly to bring the Inland Rail project closer to completion, ensuring we deliver lasting benefits to the region.”
Image: Heavy machinery in the rail corridor safely carry out excavation work to lower the track under the Wyndham Avenue bridge during this week’s rail possession.
