Construction is underway on a rail passing loop at Maryvale, which will deliver time savings of up to an hour and reduce congestion along the Main West Rail Line for freight and passenger services between Orange and Dubbo.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the $12.98 million project, which includes construction of a new loop, extension of minor bridges and an upgrade of the remotely operated motorised points and signalling, will create about 100 jobs.
“Passing loops are the rail equivalent of overtaking lanes, allowing modern and longer freight trains to pass each other and create additional capacity on the busy western line as well as providing more flexibility with timetables,” Mr Saunders said.
“The freight task in regional NSW will grow by 12 per cent to 286 million tonnes by 2036, so it’s important we invest now so that our infrastructure continues to serve generations to come. This project has created local jobs, stimulated the local economy and will deliver ongoing benefits to our region.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the Maryvale loop, which is one of four projects rolling out as part of a $45.3 million investment in enhancements to the State’s Main West Rail Line, will allow modern trains up to 1800-metres-long to pass through a new two-kilometre section of track.
“It can take several hours for a loaded freight train to move through long sections of the network, which means all other trains must wait until that section of line is clear before they can get moving,” Mr Toole said.
“The work will allow for trains to enter the passing loop and help ease those waiting times and reduce congestion even when the single-track line has multiple users passing from opposite directions.”
John Holland Rail has been contracted to deliver the project on behalf of Transport for NSW, with work expected to be completed by the end of 2021.
The Main West Line Enhancement Program has already delivered new train passing loops at Rydal and Georges Plains as part of Stage 1, and is delivering an extension to the Polona passing loop and new rail passing loop at Pinecliffe.
For more information, visit https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/operations/freight-hub