The NSW government has revealed it has completed major duplication works on the Botany Rail line after two and a half years of construction.
The Botany Rail line is now operational, with the Cabramatta Loop also officially completed.
Following the final works, turnouts and signalling works have been installed, while the testing and commissioning of new signalling infrastructure is also done.
The combined projects are expected to deliver significantly higher freight capacity and less trucks on local Sydney roads.
The federal government has funded $442 million for the works, with the projects set to help meet future demand between Port Botany and metropolitan freight intermodal terminals, where the freight task is expected to increase by 77 per cent by 2036 according to Transport for NSW (TfNSW).
The Botany Rail duplication project has duplicated the remaining 2.9-kilometre section of single line track between Mascot and Port Botany, including the construction of four new and replacement rail bridges.
The Cabramatta Loop project then provided a 1.65-kilometre section of new track next to the existing track to allow more freight trains travelling in opposite directions to pass each other, with bridges constructed and tracks realigned to meet this demand.