<span class="" id="parent-fieldname-description"> The Federal Government will accelerate Tasmania’s freight-rail track refurbishment program to completion a year ahead of schedule. </span> <p>By Rob McKay and Jennifer Perry<br /> <br />The $14m in National Building Program funds set to be spent next year will now be made available this year following progress already made.<br />Federal infrastructure minister Anthony Albanese said the government’s decision to bring forward the funds is a “tribute” to the Tasmanian Government’s ability to deliver the extensive maintenance program quicker than initially thought possible.<br />“We’re determined to sustain this momentum and complete the modernisation of the network as soon as possible,” Albanese said, just three days before Tasmania’s state election.<br />“Instead of late 2011, the maintenance work is now expected to be completed by the end of this year.”<br />The projects being delivered include bridge work, re-railing, resleepering, level crossing upgrades and better drainage.<br />Despite Toll and ANL’s joint venture moving their Bass Strait container freight through Devonport, there will still be $5.2m spent on improving the Bell Bay intermodal terminal.<br />All up, Tasmania will receive $61 million in rail maintenance funding, with the money brought forward being the final instalment.<br />Other works on the Tasmanian rail network announced in time for the election campaign include: <br />Capacity improvements along Main North-South line ($31.6 million)<br />Capacity improvements at Rhyndaston ($24 million)<br />Upgrade of the Burnie to Melba Flats line ($15.7 million)<br />Upgrade of the Burnie to Western Junction line ($30.3 million)<br />Upgrade of the Hobart to Western Junction line ($20.3 million)<br />Upgrade of the Fingal Line ($5.7 million)<br />Upgrade of the Boyer Line ($1.07 million).<br /> </p>
