The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) will carry out essential maintenance and improvement works on the Hunter Valley network this week to maintain safety and reliability.
During the works, the line will be closed from Kooragang in Newcastle to Muswellbrook, and west to Ulan and north to Narrabri from 6:30am Wednesday 3 April to 6:30am Saturday 6 April.
The shutdown which is part of ARTC’s annual maintenance program, will see more than 115 jobs and approximately 1,200 staff and contractors mobilised to complete essential work which will keep the network running safely and efficiently.
Acting Group Executive, ARTC Operations Clinton Crump said these works are essential to maintain a high standard of safety and reliability.
“The Hunter Valley rail network requires regular maintenance to ensure that it continues to play a pivotal role in supporting the region’s economic supply chain and linking regional communities,” he said.
“ARTC would like to thank the Hunter Valley community for its patience while these critical, long-term improvements take place.”
Works will include:
- Track strengthening at Maitland and East Maitland
- Track reconditioning at Wingen, with temporary closure of the Gatelys Rd level crossing
- Ballast cleaning in Singleton
- Replacing sections of rail in Yarrawa
Traffic control will be in place at Gatelys Road, Wingen, to safely guide road users and ensure students can safely get on and off school buses.
ARTC crews will minimise the impact of the work wherever possible, including positioning light towers to shine away from residences, watering down work areas and limiting the number of machines operating at any one time.
Coaches and buses will replace NSW TrainLink services during the trackwork period and customers should visit Transportnsw.info or call 13 22 32 for assistance to plan their journey.
ARTC is reminding motorists and pedestrians to remain vigilant for altered traffic conditions near the rail corridor and to obey all road rules at level crossings, with rail machinery and other movements still occurring on the rail line.
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