The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) will carry out maintenance and improvement works across the Hunter Valley network next week.
To facilitate the work, the track will be closed between Newcastle and Turrawan and between Muswellbrook and Ulan from 3am Saturday 17 May until 3am Tuesday 20 May.
The shutdown is part of ARTC’s annual maintenance program, to “maintain safety and reliability” across the network.
More than 900 maintenance activities will be completed on the Hunter Valley line, including ballast cleaning, track reconditioning, turnout renewals, bridge construction, track and signalling maintenance and vegetation control.
This shutdown has been coordinated with maintenance works on the New South Wales North Coast line, which will close the track from Telarah in New South Wales to Acacia Ridge in Queensland from 6am Saturday 17 May to 6pm Monday 19 May.
A spokesperson for ARTC said: “ARTC crews will minimise the impact of the work wherever possible, including positioning light towers to shine away from residences, watering down work areas and limiting the number of machines operating at any one time.
“ARTC is reminding motorists and pedestrians to remain vigilant for altered traffic conditions near the rail corridor, pay attention to signage and to obey all road rules at level crossings, with rail machinery active on rail lines.”
Coaches and buses will replace New South Wales TrainLink services during the trackwork period and customers are encouraged to visit Transportnsw.info or call 13 22 32 for assistance in planning their journey.
Information on road closures or diversions and alternative routes can be found at livetraffic.com.
Clinton Crump, Group Executive Operations, ARTC said the rail network requires regular maintenance to ensure that it continues to play a pivotal role in supporting vital links to the region’s economic supply chain.
“The program of works is designed to minimise disruption to passenger and freight services and ARTC would like to thank the Hunter Valley community for its patience while these critical, long-term improvements take place.
“These maintenance works have been aligned with scheduled track work on the NSW North Coast line as part of a coordinated effort to minimise disruption to customer and passenger services while essential maintenance is undertaken.”
