The Western Australian government has announced detail plans to upgrade the freight rail line between Carnamah and Mingenew.
The section is part of the Midland Line, with the upgrades set to begin later this year following the finalising of an in principle funding agreement with Arc Infrastructure.
The agreement will see the state and federal governments allocate up to $45 million towards the upgrades from its $200 million Agriculture Supply Chain Improvement (ACSI) program, with Arc Infrastructure contributing $22 million to the project.
When complete, around 77 kilometres of track between Carnamah and Mingenew will be upgraded from a 16 tonne-axle loading (TAL) to 19 TAL, meaning 25 per cent more grain per train will be transported.
The works will see all timber sleepers be replaced by a concrete/steel sleeper pattern, with rail infrastructure to be renewed to allow for heavier axle loads.
Construction is expected to begin next year and finish in 2026.
The Midland Line transports more than 500,000 tonnes of grain to the port of Geraldton each year, meaning the works will improve supply chain efficiency.
“The in principle funding agreement for the Midland Line upgrade is another welcome milestone for the ASCI program,” WA transport minister Rita Saffioti says.
“The revitalisation of the rail line between Carnamah and Mingenew will allow around 25 per cent more grain per train to be transported on rail to Geraldton Port.
“Being able to transport more grain by rail to Geraldton means less grain on road, and that is an important road safety outcome for the region.
“Delivering rail upgrades in key agricultural regions as part of the $200 million ASCI Program was an important state government election commitment to our agricultural regions and many of these projects are now either complete or underway.
“It’s fantastic to see this project moving forward as it will increase our grain on rail capacity and help strengthen our supply chains in key agricultural regions.”
Read more ATN:
Clearance height to increase in Linkfield Overpass upgrade
Amazon Australia searching for 600 seasonal workers
A roadblock in the DB Schenker sale