By Rob McKay
The change was revealed with the release of the results and working papers of the second stage of the Melbourne-Brisbane Inland Rail Alignment Study.
During the second stage, the 1880-kilometre option identified in Stage 1 was further assessed, with a focus on the development of a potential route, including preliminary land and environmental assessments.
It included a more detailed economic and financial analysis based on further demand and operating cost studies.
“During the course of this further work, an alternative 1690km option emerged,” ARTC said.
“With the optimisation of passing loops, this option would provide a Melbourne-Brisbane transit time of approximately 22 hours.
“Similar to the 1880-kilometre option, the analysis of the 1690-kilometre route showed it to be financially non-viable on a stand-alone commercial basis.
“However, this shorter option could potentially offer better benefits for the public good.”
The capital cost of the 1690-kilometre option, subject to further analysis, was put at $3.75 billion.
“The study team will continue in Stage 3 to develop a more financially viable option,” ARTC said.
“Work will include further analysis of likely demand, and the optimisation of capital costs.
“As the 1690-kilometre route shows a potentially stronger financial performance as well as a potentially better public good benefit, it has been adopted for further analysis in the study’s Stage 3.”
The Federal Government announced the study in March 2008 to determine an optimum alignment, economic benefits and likely commercial success of a new standard gauge inland railway between Melbourne and Brisbane.
Source: Lloyd’s List Daily Commercial News – www.lloydslistdcn.com.au
 
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