New South Wales Government announced a USD 111.8 million applications for the Expression of Interest Fixing Country Rail programme. Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the sum under Fixing Country Rail Round One is part of the USD 298 million Restart commitment to deliver a highly functional transport network across the state for moving freight in and out of regional areas.
“The North West relies heavily on an efficient freight transport network and we’re already seeing a boost in the North West’s economy,” Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said.
Fixing Country Rail is a program to fund rail infrastructure enhancement projects that eliminate connectivity constraints on the NSW regional rail network and reduce the cost to market for regional businesses. It is designed to complement the Fixing Country Roads program to build an efficient freight transport network in regional NSW.
Projects funded under Fixing Country Rail could include sidings, passing loops, the reopening of non-operational sections and network enhancements that allow the use of faster, longer and heavier trains.
Anyone can submit a Fixing Country Rail project proposal in response to a call for Expressions of Interestbut funding can only be awarded to rail infrastructure owners and managers.
EOI for the Fixing Country Rail pilot round closed in May 2016, with a total amount of USD 10.2 million. it included the reinstatement of a 3 km section of Moree – Inverell line, rail siding extension at Burren Junction, at Hillston and at Barellan, the reinstatement of the almost 35 km Maimuru – Demondrille line, and rail siding upgrade at the Canberra Railway Freight Terminal (Fyshwick). A total USD 746 thousand will also fund the planning and design work for other infrastructure projects.
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