East West rail line closed for ‘at least a week’

The East West rail line has been closed by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) following heavy rain and flooding. 

The corridor between McLeay and Bookaloo has been “significantly impacted”, with track washaways of up to 100 metres in some locations. 

ARTC said in a statement released yesterday that crews were inspecting the network between Crystal Brook and Broken Hill as well as Port Augusta to Whyalla to determine the full extent of the damage. 

“The weather system is moving east and dissipating slowly,” the organisation said. 

“However, further heavy rain is forecast in the Junta area which may affect the Broken Hill line. 

“While the damage assessments are underway, a return to service timeframe has not yet been confirmed.” 

Restoration is currently expected to take longer than seven days. 

Another further significant weather system is forecast to move across similar areas later this week, which may exacerbate existing damage and recovery efforts.   

The ARTC said it is maintaining communication with customers and is working alongside emergency services and state transport agencies as the situation develops. 

In preparation for recovery works, ARTC has mobilised crews and pre-positioned materials and equipment along the corridor to support rebuilding of the track. 

The East-West corridor links Kalgoorlie in Western Australia to Whyalla and Crystal Brook in South Australia before diverging to Parkes and Melbourne via Adelaide.