Fifteen days of essential maintenance have kicked off on the Main South line in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation began works on Sunday, June 5, and expects to run the maintenance until June 20.
ARTC says the maintenance involves “critical” re-railing work – removing sections of the rail track and replacing it with new rail.
The re-railing is taking place at a number of locations between Medway Junction (near Marulan) and Moss Vale.
The work has been brought forward to help improve current train running times through the Southern Highlands, according to the rail owner.
ARTC has warned residents the work necessitates welding and the use of heavy equipment and machinery like excavators, trucks and forklifts. The result could be noisy, dusty conditions for locals.
“The work is critical to the safety and reliability of the rail line and to help carry out the work will involve large trucks moving in and out of the rail corridor, dropping off supplies and the use of heavy machinery in the rail corridor,” the corporation reasoned.
Work will take place along the line at locations including Wingello, Bundanoon and Moss Vale.
The freight network will be closed in various areas at various times over this period, but ARTC said it would avoid working during the long weekend period, from June 11 to 13.
“We would like to thank the community for its patience during this essential rail maintenance work.”