The Federal Government’s $1.2 billion National Building package included a contribution towards the $134 million first stage of the project, known as the Minimbah Bank Third Rail Line.
This project involves the construction of approximately 10 kilometres of third rail track from Minimbah, west of Belford to Whittingham.
ARTC chief executive David Marchant said the construction work for Stage One is expected to be completed by early 2010.
“This is a vitally important project…to meet the forecasted increase in demand for export and domestic coal in the Hunter Valley,” Marchant said.
“Without the upgrade to the Main Northern Rail network, coal exported from the Hunter Valley through the Port of Newcastle could start to be constrained from 2015.”
ARTC recently formed the Hunter 8 Alliance with John Holland Pty Ltd and GHD Pty Ltd (GHD) to design and build the new track with the project involving two concurrent stages.
Stage One, from Minimbah to Whittingham, received approval from the Minister for Planning under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979 on May 22nd.
The Alliance is currently undertaking an Environmental Assessment and preliminary design work for Stage Two, a third track of 32 kilometres from Maitland to Minimbah, known as the Maitland to Minimbah Third Track.
Marchant said ARTC was committed to the rail infrastructure upgrades as part of their Hunter Valley Capacity Improvement Strategy.
“Our strategy seeks to keep the rail system capacity ahead of industry demands and we have taken another important step…with construction of the Minimbah Bank Third Rail Line Project moving into full swing,” he said.
The Hunter 8 Alliance has prepared a number of Environmental and Community Management Plans to identify specific measures to reduce impacts to the environment and the local community during construction.
For more information about the project visit: www.hunter8alliance.com.au
 
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