Work has started on a major freight line that will connect Port Kembla to the main south line at Picton in NSW
December 17, 2012
More than $25 million in design work has started on a major freight line that will connect Port Kembla to the main south line at Picton in New South Wales.
The Federal Government announced late last week initial planning work had begun on the Maldon to Dombarton Rail link project.
According to government, contracts have been awarded Parsons Brinckerhoff and GHD for engineering, planning and environmental works.
“This is about working through the safety, design, operational and environmental issues so that the project is at a stage where it can be considered for possible federal funding,” Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says in a statement.
Parsons Brinckerhoff will complete engineering work, and investigate design, safety and operational issues involved in completing the rail link.
GHD will investigate the environmental issues in the rail corridor and surrounding areas, which Albanese says will be critical in securing planning and environmental approvals before construction can start.
To construct the link about 35 kilometres of track will be laid, with multiple passing loops and new bridges over the Nepean and Cordeaux Rivers.
The freight
line will also include one of Australia’s longest rail tunnels.
The next step for the project is appointing a specialist cost planner.
The Federal Government is fully funding the link’s planning and pre-construction design and has set aside $25.5 million for the work as part of its Nation Building Program.