Engineering, Freight Rail, Passenger Rail

Last section of track laid on ETTT project

Freight rail track - stock - credit Shutterstock (8)

The last section of track has been laid for the Epping to Thornleigh Third Track (ETTT) project, in what Warren Truss has called a major milestone for the $1.1 billion Northern Sydney Freight Corridor upgrade.

Deputy Prime Minister Truss, who is also minister for infrastructure and regional development, said the development demonstrated Federal Government’s commitment to delivering a fully functioning rail line by mid-2016.

“This particular project involves the construction of six kilometres of new and upgraded track within the rail corridor between Epping and Thornleigh stations on the western side of the existing tracks,” Truss outlined.

“Over the next six months works will be completed on the construction of retaining walls, electrification works, noise amelioration treatments and landscaping.

“The corridor is vitally important to the national economy, shifting about 1.7 million tonnes or 15 per cent of interstate freight by rail. When the project is finished, northbound freight trains will enjoy additional capacity.”

State transport minister Andrew Constance said the ETTT project would deliver an extensive upgrade to the rail line.

“The new track is going to separate northbound freight from passenger train services between Epping and Thornleigh,” he said. “This means better services and reliability for commuters in the north west of Sydney.”

New South Wales roads and freight minister Duncan Gay said the overall Northern Sydney Freight Corridor upgrade would remove roughly 200,000 truck movements from the roads every year by 2030.

“NSW is the freight ‘through state’ of eastern Australia,” he said. “By removing more than 2000,00 trucks a year we improve safety, cut congestion and reduce wear and tear on our roads.”

 

The ETTT track is the last of four projects that make up Stage 1 of the NSFC programme.

The programme also includes the North Strathfield Rail Underpass Project, Gosford Passing Loops Project and the Hexham Passing Loop.

The $477.4 million Epping to Thornleigh Third Track project is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments, with $360 million and $117.4 million committed respectively.

 

3 Comments

  1. What about the places along the northern line where it is still only 2 tracks. When will they be upgraded I wonder.

  2. Additional capacity of trains, not loads, capacity for extra trains comes from the dedicated freight line!. But, the line from Hornsby to Gosford in many places is still appalling with many twists, turns and steep grades!

  3. What do you expect. Sydney isn’t flat like Melbourne. This project may have some federal funds but it is very much a Sydney trains project as there will be wires over the third track.