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Albanese launches Adelaide rail study

New study to look at realigning key rail track in Adelaide to boost productivity

The Rudd Government has commissioned a multi-million dollar study into Adelaide’s rail freight industry to determine whether to realign a key rail track.

The study will start next month, with Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Anthony Albanese saying it will equip governments with a better understanding of rail freight movements across Adelaide.

The $3 million initiative will look at ways of improving the network by assessing the feasibility of relocating the city’s main freight rail line north of the Adelaide Hills.

Albanese says it will take about 12 months to complete the study, which will be managed by his department.

A project reference group consisting of the Mitcham Council, the Local Government Association of South Australia and the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has been established.

Furthermore, the Freight Rail Operators Group will finalise the study’s terms of reference.

Current and future rail movements to and through Adelaide will also be analysed, as will the rail line’s capacity to meet demand.

Albanese says the study will also list options to meet the burgeoning freight task based on a cost-benefit approach.

“This is an important study. On a typical day, around 13 interstate freight and passenger trains use this railway line,” Albanese says.
Finally, the study will also review the impact the current rail line has on the surrounding community.

Albanese says locals have raised concerns about noise, safety and congestion issues.

The Governments intends to release a discussion paper by May next year which will set out various options.

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