Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) awarded John Holland a contract to upgrade the North East Rail Line, in North East Victoria.
John Holland will deliver a works package involving ballast depth improvements along the entire rail corridor, mudhole removal and track resurfacing, drainage upgrades, and around 100 level crossing and rail bridge upgrades.
Significant early works have already been completed on the line this year including a significant scope of work during the recent 60hr works shutdown. Further targeted works are planned to help address some of the current V/Line services performance issues.
“This is the next key stage towards delivering the upgrade to the North East line and one step closer to improved reliability, smoother journeys and reduced causes of major delays for passenger services between Melbourne and Albury,” ARTC Chief Executive, John Fullerton, said.
The North East line upgrade project will improve passenger service quality and reliability by upgrading track condition and by reducing bumps experienced during travel and will reduce the causes of major delays that can impact services such as signal failures due to signal wire theft.
The project is targeted for completion by mid-2021.
The Australian Government has committed AUD 235 million (USD 160.2 million) to this project which will upgrade the entire rail line from Melbourne to Albury/Wodonga. The improvements will bring the North East line up to a ‘Victorian Class 2’ track performance standard, in line with other long-distance regional rail lines in Victoria.
The upgrade will enable VLocity trains to run to Albury/Wodonga for the first time, delivering a more reliable and comfortable service for passengers.
Share on:
