- Southern Cross Drive Bridge works are progressing on ARTC's Botany Rail Duplication project
- The first temporary girder has been lifted into place, with the new bridge to be complete in late 2023
- The Botany Rail Duplication will allow freight to be moved more efficiently and effectively
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has installed the first of two temporary steel girders for the Southern Cross Drive Bridge, part of the ongoing Botany Rail Duplication project, with the steel girder lifted into place by a 600 tonne crane.
The use of temporary bridge girders allows new concrete girders to be poured in situ, without closing the road below. Each temporary girder spans 33 metres long and weighs 115 tonnes, the second girder will be lifted into place later this month, with the new bridge expected to be finished in late 2023.
The Australian Government is fully funding ARTC to deliver the $400 million project, which will deliver better access to global export markets via Port Botany, improve freight supply chains across New South Wales and help reduce the number of trucks on local roads.
The project will duplicate the remaining 2.9-kilometre section of single line track to Port Botany and construct a passing loop on the Southern Sydney Freight Line at Cabramatta to accommodate freight trains up to 1,300 metres in length.
Preparations are also underway for major works in August, when the existing O'Riordan Street Bridge will be demolished, and a new double-track concrete bridge constructed during a five-day rail shutdown.
ARTC General Manager NSW Projects, Major Construction Projects, Julian Richards said:
"The Southern Cross Drive Bridge is one of five bridges we are constructing or modifying in the Botany Rail Duplication project, with major construction works for the project on track to be complete in 2024.
"I'd like to thank the ARTC and contractor teams for their efforts, and for getting the work done as efficiently as possible, minimising disruptions to motorists.
"Not only will this project increase freight capacity, it will also encourage more freight movements to be made by rail - helping to shift freight away from road transport and reduce truck movements and associated traffic congestion.
"Each extra freight train travelling on the Port Botany Rail Line will take up to 54 trucks off Sydney's roads and that will be well received by local road users.
"We thank motorists for their patience while bridge construction works take place."
