NSW body TfNSW has provided an update on the freight rail line project
Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) has issued a project update on improvements being made to the state’s Main West Rail Line.
TfNSW says stages one and two of the upgrade works are complete, making the critical freight route more efficient for industries across NSW.
The Main West Rail Line is an 825-kilometre corridor extending from Bowenfels west of Lithgow, connecting regional centres in Bathurst, Orange, Parkes and Dubbo before expanding north-east of Nevertire to Warren.
TfNSW says freight volumes moved along the rail line are forecast to grow to 11.5 million tonnes by 2056 as rail freight overall will increase by 27 per cent by 2056.
The current Main West Rail Line moves containerised meat, cotton, grain, oil seed, steel, coal, bulk domestic grain and flour.
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TfNSW says benefits of the program include shorter wait times for trains among these other positives:
- More capacity through longer and heavier trains carrying more produce
- More jobs for regional and local workers to upgrade the freight line
- More efficient industries through faster and cheaper transport
- Better connections for rural communities
- Cheaper products for consumers through a more efficient industry
- Safer roads with more reliance on the line
- Improved resilience and incident management
Currently, the rail line update has completed the first two stages, where two 1800 metre rail crossing loops were delivered and four more crossing extensions were constructed further up the line.
This included adding crossing loops to Polona, Pinecliffe, Maryvale and Bumberry between Orange and Parkes in late 2021.