<p>Two new passing loops have been added to the rail line between Melbourne and southern New South Wales as part of the Australian Rail Track Corporation’s (ARTC) $2bn north-south upgrade.</p> <p>The 7-km loops, at Yerong Creek and Uranquinty near Wagga Wagga, replace the present series of 1.5 km loops which the ARTC said were irregularly placed along the line.</p> <p>Work on another three loops will begin this month, with a further 12 to be built along the 472km length between Junee and Melbourne over the next three years.</p> <p>The loops will allow trains to pass and cross at speed along the network, rather than having to stop in the existing loops for other trains to pass.</p> <p>The ARTC hopes that the $560m project will make train operations more efficient, increase capacity and improve reliability. </p> <br />