ARTC $10.5m plan for Hunter coal chain infrastructure

<p>The Australian Rail Track Corporation would invest $10.5m in productivity improvements for its Hunter Valley coal rail network, it said today (Friday, December 8).</p> <p>The $10.5m would be spent on improvements to the junction between the Ulan and Main North Lines at Muswellbrook, transport and regional services minister Mark Vaile said.</p> <p>The works to be undertaken include the extension of the existing crossing loop at Muswellbrook to 1,800 metres, associated track and signalling works and improvements to the existing goods siding within the Muswellbrook yard. </p> <p>When completed, the works would result in increased capacity to meet forecast increases in coal traffic from the Upper Hunter Valley and reduced running times. </p> <p>&#8220These infrastructure works will improve the operational capacity of the Upper Hunter Valley rail network and enable ARTC to capitalise on the significant capacity improvement created by the recently opened $80m Sandgate Flyover project,&#8221 Mr Vaile said. </p> <br />