NSW: Epping – Thornleigh last section of track laid

The last section of track has been laid for the Epping to Thornleigh Third Track (ETTT) project, as part of AUD 1.1 billion (USD 788.6 million) Northern Sydney Freight Corridor (NSFC) upgrade works.
The fully functioning of the railway line is estimated for the mid of 2016. “This particular project involves the construction of six kilometres of new and upgraded track within the rail corridor between Epping and Thornleigh stations on the western side of the existing tracks. Over the next six months works will be completed on the construction of retaining walls, electrification works, noise amelioration treatments and landscaping,” Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said.
The corridor is vitally important to the national economy, shifting about 1.7 million tonnes or 15 per cent of interstate freight by rail.
New South Wales Minister for Transport Andrew Constance said the ETTT project will deliver extensive upgrades to the area’s rail line.“The new track is going to separate northbound freight from passenger train services between Epping and Thornleigh—this means better services and reliability for commuters in the north west of Sydney,” Constance said.
The AUD 477.4 million (USD 342 million) Epping to Thornleigh Third Track project is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments, with AUD 360 million (USD 258 million) and AUD 117.4 million (USD 84 million) committed respectively.
The NSFC Programme aims to improve the capacity and reliability of freight trains between Strathfield and Broadmeadow, Newcastle.