- Maintenance works occurring on the main north and south lines and the Ulan line between the port at Kooragang and Boggabri, Ulan and Turrawan.
- Three-day shutdown from 3am Saturday, August 5 to 3am Tuesday, August 8.
- Essential track maintenance will maintain high safety and reliability standards.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) will carry out a maintenance shutdown of the Hunter Valley Network from Newcastle to Boggabri, Ulan and Turrawan from Saturday, August 5 through to Tuesday, August 8, 2023.
ARTC Group Executive Hunter Valley Wayne Johnson said the shutdown is required to carry out maintenance works to maintain a safe, reliable network.
"During this maintenance shutdown we will be working from Newcastle to Boggabri and Turrawan as well as far west at Ulan with a focus on works to keep the network operating efficiently," Mr Johnson said.
"There will also be important rail and sleeper replacement works at Islington, Thornton, Scone and Werris Creek over a 72-hour intensive period, which are critical activities in maintaining the safety of the rail network," he said.
ARTC works will span more than 140 separate maintenance activities throughout the weekend.
"During the works temporary traffic controls or detours will be in place which motorists may want to consider when planning their journey. For example, the level crossing at Bylong Valley Way north of Bylong will be closed from 6pm on Saturday to 4am on Sunday and the level crossing at Wollar Road north of Coggan will be closed from 6pm Sunday to 4am Monday.
"While freight services and passenger services will be stopped, we ask motorists to remain vigilant and slow down at level crossings during the shutdown as there will be machinery and other movements on the rail line.
"There will also be some impacts to passenger services. Passengers can access information on Travel alerts | transportnsw.info."
Mr Johnson said works will be completed as safely and efficiently as possible starting around 3am on Saturday before an expected completion time around 3am on Tuesday.
"We apologise for any disruption or inconvenience and thank the community for its support and patience while these works are taking place," he said.
Alternative bus services will be provided for impacted passenger services, and details and schedules can be found at the Transport NSW website. Information on road closures and alternative routes can be found at livetraffic.com
Up-to-date information regarding any changes to these works can be found at: Track Work – ARTC and additional information is available from ARTC's Enviroline on 1300 550 402.
