THE AUSTRALIAN Rail Track Corporation has reached a bridge works milestone in its Botany Rail Duplication project.
As part of the project, ARTC said it is dismantling a rail bridge in Mascot and installing a new one in its place.
Constructing new bridge structures and reconstructing the existing structures at Robey Street and O’Riordan Street are major components of the $400-million rail project.
ARTC group executive major construction projects Mike Zambelli described the Botany Rail Duplication as a transformational project.
“The Robey Street bridge construction indicates major construction works are on track with the project expected to be complete in 2024,” he said.
“Not only will this project increase freight capacity, it will also encourage more freight movements to be made by rail – helping to shift freight away from road transport and reduce truck movements and associated traffic congestion.
“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.”
ARTC has also advised motorists that Robey Street (between Qantas Drive and O’Riordan Street) will be closed from 2300 on 3 February until to 0430 on 6 February 2023. It expects heavy traffic and delays on roads around Mascot and Sydney Airport during the road closure.
The Australian government is fully funding ARTC to deliver the project.
The project involves duplicating the remaining 2.9-kilometre section of single line track to Port Botany, allowing freight to be moved more efficiently and effectively.
It intends to create better access to global export markets via Port Botany, improve freight supply chains across New South Wales and help ease local road congestion.
It also aims to help meet future demand; ARTC said the freight task is predicted to increase by 77% by 2036.
