A major rail maintenance blitz has taken place on the rail line south of Sydney to Wollongong in New South Wales.
Trackwork was carried out on the T4 Illawarra Line and South Coast Line between Dapto, Port Kembla and Central, with a 250-metre section of track renewed at Engadine on Saturday.
This included replacing ballast to stabilise the track and help prevent future speed restrictions, and specialised welding works which saw the rail cut and taken out, to allow for it to heat up and expand in summer. In the winter, additional sets of rails will be added back in.
The drainage system was also graded to maintain track foundation integrity in wet weather conditions.
On Sunday, the team resurfaced the section to remove defects and deliver a smoother ride for passengers.
With more than six million people using the over 100-year-old South Coast and 40-year-old T4 line each month, the line has been declared a “maintenance critical zone”.
This maintenance program forms part of Sydney Trains’ Reliability Action Plan, prioritising asset renewal and maintenance in critical zones across its 1700-kilometre network.
Minister for Transport John Graham said: “The T4 and South Coast Line is critical infrastructure for commuters living across the region, and passengers deserve a rail network they can rely on.
“We’re delivering on the recommendations of the Independent Rail Review – investing $423 million in essential upgrades and fast-tracking maintenance work that keep our network safe, resilient and reliable.”
Chief Executive of Sydney Trains Matt Longland said: “Our teams are working around the clock to lift performance and build a more resilient, reliable network.
“These upgrades are exactly the type of targeted maintenance that will make a real difference for commuters
“By renewing track foundations, improving drainage and strengthening rail infrastructure, we’re reducing the likelihood of disruptions on one of Sydney’s busiest lines.”
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