THE AUSTRALIAN Rail Track Corporation has completed demolition work and installation of a new rail bridge as part of the Botany Rail Duplication project.
The ARTC completed the O’Riordan Street Bridge works with delivery partner John Holland, an Australian infrastructure and rail company, during a five-day rail shutdown.
The $400-million rail duplication project aims to improve freight supply chains across NSW and deliver better access to global export markets via Port Botany.
“The Botany Rail Duplication project will duplicate the remaining 2.9 kilometre section of single line track to Port Botany and construct a passing loop on the Southern Sydney Freight Line at Cabramatta to accommodate freight trains up to 1300 metres in length,” ARTC group executive major construction projects Mike Zambelli said.
“This transformational project will help meet future demand where the freight task is predicted to increase by 77% by 2036.
“Each extra freight train travelling on the Port Botany Rail Line will take up to 54 trucks off Sydney’s roads and that will be well received by local road users.”
And Steve Butcher, John Holland’s executive general manager, rail and transport, said completing a demolition and installation program in five days was no small feat.
“It’s a testament to the strength and capability of our team on the Botany Rail Duplication project,” he said.
“Thanks to meticulous planning with our ARTC project partners, we’re able to deliver these complex works and minimise impacts to train and vehicle movements.
“It’s another major step forward for a project that will significantly boost freight capacity in Port Botany.”
The O’Riordan Street Bridge works involved installing 20 concrete planks to form the bridge deck, each weighing up to 31 tonnes. Planks were installed using a 750-tonne crane and a 650-tonne crane.
The new bridge is 45 metres long, 12 metres wide and the two main girders each weigh 450 tonnes.
During the shutdown period, works also took place on 1.3 kilometres of track in Botany and Banksmeadow, including the installation of a new crossover, turnouts and significant commissioning of new rail signalling, which will allow trains to move bi-directionally along and between tracks.
ARTC said this would increase operational flexibility and reducing delays to train movements.
