Early works have now wrapped up on the Ouyen to Murrayville line, as part of the Murray Basin Rail Project in Victoria.
The Murray Basin Rail Project will aim to deliver key benefits for primary producers and freight operators including increased capacity, improved network reliability and resilience, and reduced journey times.
Upgrades to the Ouyen to Murrayville Line, including re-sleepering, adding ballast and adjusting track, will remove most speed and heat restrictions which have limited use of the line. Track upgrades from Ararat to Maryborough will increase load capacity to 21 tonne axle loading (TAL) and improve travel times by enabling freight trains to operate at higher speeds.
Early works included the removal of heat and speed restrictions along the 109-kilometre Ouyen to Murrayville Line – to boost safety and improve reliability.
More than 57,000 sleepers were also replaced as part of the works, along with the addition of 30,000 tonnes of ballast and adjusting track, enabling the line to remain open when temperatures reach 33 degrees.
Design work and procurement is also underway on further upgrades, including new crossing loops and sidings, improvements to Maryborough junction and signalling upgrades.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said the project would support 1000 direct and indirect jobs during delivery.
“It’s great to see early works complete on the Ouyen to Murrayville line – which will improve safety, capacity and reliability of services and better connect local producers to our major ports,” Allan said.