Below Rail Infrastructure, Engineering, Freight Rail, Passenger Rail

Gowrie Gates rail bridge works to take place next week

Works in preparation for the removal of the Gowrie Gates rail bridge near Singleton will begin next week, along with over 100 other different maintenance projects across the Australian Rail Track Corporation’s (ARTC) Hunter Valley network.

The projects will be carried out from 7.00am on Tuesday 18 September till 6.00pm Thursday 20 September. Over the three days of works, all traffic on the New England Highway will be diverted on to a purpose-built temporary road running to the south of the bridge and the work area.

The works will involve the placement of large concrete girders weighing over 200 tonnes. These will serve as the support structures and base for the new bridge that will, when constructed, run parallel to the existing one.

The Gowrie Gates (or Main North Line) rail bridge over the highway north of Singleton currently restricts access for wide load heavy vehicles.

The old bridge will eventually be replaced by the new bridge in November. It will provide increased horizontal clearance, allowing the widening of the highway to accommodate two travel lanes with wide sealed shoulders and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. The upgrade will provide for continued light and heavy vehicle access to Singleton.

The ARTC’s group executive for the Hunter Valley Network, Jonathan Vanderwoort said that other projects would be carried out concurrently.

“Over the three days we will have over 1000 crew members working around the clock to complete nearly 130 jobs,” Vandervoort said.

“With limited train services running it allows maintenance crews to do jobs like track reconditioning, grinding, ballast cleaning and re-railing that typically can’t be completed during normal operations.

“If you live near the rail corridors can we ask you to be extra careful as there will be increased truck and machinery traffic. Also, temporary traffic delays and detours may occur to ensure safe access in and out of the work areas.”