The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and delivery partner John Holland have successfully completed major works on the Botany Rail Duplication project in New South Wales, 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 the state 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 750t crane and 650t crane working simultaneously.
The new bridge is 45 metres long, 12 metres wide and the two main girders each weigh 450t. 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 major construction projects executive Mike Zambelli said the project would 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 1300 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,” he said.
John Holland rail and transport executive general manager Steve Butcher said completng a massive program of rail bridge demolition and installation works in just five days was no small feat, and was a testament to the strength and capability of the company’s team.
“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,” he said.