Logistics News

Inland Rail: NSW feasibility contract awarded

Grant awarded for feasibility study on Bethungra Spiral bypass forproposed Inland Rail project

 

A joint venture between engineering firms WSP Australia and Mott MacDonald has been awarded a $6 million contract for feasibility and design work on a portion of the Inland Rail project.

The 37 kilometre section of rail from Illabo to Stockinbingal in New South Wales will provide a new direct route from the east of Illabo up into the existing Forbes rail line.

It will also bypass a winding and steep section of track known as the Bethungra Spiral, first built during World War II, though the Spiral will continue to be used for freight and passenger services to Sydney.

Inland Rail Program Delivery Director Simon Thomas says the feasibility design contract will build on preliminary investigations and extensive community engagement already conducted by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC).

“This feasibility design work will give us information in terms of engineering, environmental, traffic and other impacts, which we can use to design and build the best possible rail line,” he says.

“It will lay the groundwork for the detailed design for these sections, and there will be more contracts awarded by ARTC over the coming months in regional NSW.”

The feasibility phase of the project is expected to take up to two years to complete, with information about local geography, hydrology, flora and fauna, as well as air quality, noise and social factors to be taken into consideration.

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