Sydney to Melbourne ‘Super Possession’ improves network resilience

THE Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) will carry out essential rail maintenance and improvement works across next weekend on the main railway line between Sydney and Melbourne.

As part of the ARTC ‘Super Possession’, the line will be closed for three days, from 6:00am March 18 until 6:00pm March 20 to improve safety and reliability across the network.

Works include track re-railing, resurfacing, and reconditioning, as well as drainage restoration, track ballasting, level crossing upgrades, relocation of utilities, turnout maintenance and bridge maintenance.

Routine track maintenance activities will be completed, along with signaling works, and vegetation control.

To minimise disruption to customers, the ARTC ‘Super Possession’ will run in conjunction with similar possessions on the Sydney Trains network.

These works are part of ARTC’s additional investment over the next three years to improve network resilience, further helping to reduce speed restrictions.

During this period, early works will also commence on the Southern Highlands Overtaking Opportunities project at Werai. Works will include earthworks, and installing ballast, sleepers and rail.

This project is being delivered with $41.6 million in funding support from the Australian Government.

The project aims to increase flexibility and reduce congestion on the network, by allowing freight trains to be overtaken by faster services.

The Super Possession also provides the opportunity for ARTC to undertake Inland Rail construction at Glenrowan and Barnawartha North.

ARTC will also facilitate early works on the Melbourne Airport Rail project with the installation of monitoring equipment on the Maribyrnong Bridge and carry out geotechnical investigations.

ARTC General Manager Asset Maintenance Services –Interstate, Costas Kokkoni said:

“This Super Possession will see more than $15 million worth of essential works completed from Sydney to Melbourne, to maintain a high standard of safety and reliability across the network.

“Work will be completed across 90 worksites along the corridor in New South Wales and Victoria, including early works commencing on the Southern Highlands Overtaking Opportunities project. ARTC would like to thank the community for their patience while these critical, longterm improvements take place.”