NEARLY 4000 railway sleepers have arrived in Daroobalgie, NSW to construct part of the Inland Rail project.

The sleepers together weigh more than 1000 tonnes, and will be used for a new crossing loop in the Stockinbingal to Parkes section of the Inland Rail.

The concrete sleepers were trucked in from Bomen, NSW and took five days to unload using plant machinery.

The sleepers, made of high-density fibre-reinforced concrete and weighing 285 kilograms each, will lay over around two kilometres of track, along with over 277 tonnes of rail delivered last month.

Melvyn Maylin, Inland Rail’s director – program delivery, Albury to Parkes, said the crossing loop would allow trains traveling in opposite directions to safely pass each other.

Melvyn Maylin, Inland Rail Director Program Delivery, Albury to Parkes, said:

“The crossing loop at Daroobalgie features 2.2 kilometres of new track built to the eastern side of the existing track and will include the replacement and extension of culverts to mitigate flooding on neighbouring land,” he said.

“The Stockinbingal to Parkes project is now in the procurement and detailed design stages.

“During this time, we are seeking to appoint a construction contractor to finalise detailed design and construct the project.”

Mr Maylin said early works in and around Forbes will be ongoing and include the relocation of gas and water infrastructure.

“These works are required because they will enable major construction to proceed more efficiently once a contractor is appointed,” he said.

The Stockinbingal to Parkes project area spans from just north of the rail junction in Stockinbingal to south of Goobang Junction in Parkes, NSW.

Major construction on the Stockinbingal to Parkes section is expected to begin in late 2023 and involves enhancements or modifications to specific sites along the existing rail corridor to accommodate double-stacked freight trains.

Other works planned for Stockinbingal to Parkes include increasing vertical clearance on the Lachlan River Rail Bridge and Wyndham Avenue Road Bridge in Forbes, modifying Forbes Railway Station, and enhancing several existing crossings, structures, and utilities.

“Inland Rail is an important project that will help Australia move more freight, enhancing the national freight rail network and making our roads safer for all,” Mr Maylin said.