- ARTC has completed a five-day period of major works on the Botany Rail Duplication project
- Works included the demolition and installation of a new bridge at O'Riordan Street, Mascot
- The Botany Rail Duplication will allow freight to be moved more efficiently and effectively
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and delivery partner John Holland have successfully completed major works on the Botany Rail Duplication project, including demolition work and installation of a new rail bridge at O'Riordan Street, during a five-day rail shutdown.
The Australian Government is fully funding ARTC to deliver the $400 million project, which will deliver better access to global export markets via Port Botany, improve freight supply chains across New South Wales and help reduce the number of trucks on local roads.
The O'Riordan Street bridge works involved installing 20 concrete planks to form the bridge deck, each weighing up to 31 tonnes. The planks were installed using a 750-tonne crane and 650-tonne crane working simultaneously.
The new bridge is 45 metres long, 12 metres wide and the two main girders each weigh 450 tonnes. The concrete girders were poured on site, supported by a temporary steel structure which was lifted into place earlier this year. This technique allowed part of the new bridge to be constructed alongside the track, minimising disruption to train movements and road users of O'Riordan Street below.
During the shutdown period, works also took place on 1.3km of track in Botany and Banksmeadow, including the installation of a new crossover, turnouts and significant commissioning of new rail signalling, which will allow trains to move bi-directionally along and between tracks - increasing operational flexibility and reducing delays to train movements.
ARTC Group Executive Major Construction Projects Mike Zambelli said:
"The Botany Rail Duplication project will duplicate the remaining 2.9 kilometre section of single line track to Port Botany and construct a passing loop on the Southern Sydney Freight Line at Cabramatta to accommodate freight trains up to 1,300 metres in length.
"This transformational project will help meet future demand where the freight task is predicted to increase by 77 per cent by 2036. Each extra freight train travelling on the Port Botany Rail Line will take up to 54 trucks off Sydney's roads and that will be well received by local road users.
"We thank motorists for their patience during this construction period."
John Holland Executive General Manager, Rail & Transport Steve Butcher said:
"To complete a massive program of rail bridge demolition and installation works in just five days is no small feat - it's a testament to the strength and capability of our team on the Botany Rail Duplication project.
"Thanks to meticulous planning with our ARTC project partners, we're able to deliver these complex works and minimise impacts to train and vehicle movements. It's another major step forward for a project that will significantly boost freight capacity in Port Botany."
