- Maintenance works occurring between Newcastle and Turrawan and between Muswellbrook and Ulan
- Major shutdown from Saturday 17 May to Tuesday 20 May
- Essential track maintenance will maintain high safety and reliability standards
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) will carry out essential maintenance and improvement works across the Hunter Valley network next week to maintain safety and reliability.
During the work the track will be closed between Newcastle and Turrawan and between Muswellbrook and Ulan from 3am Saturday 17 May until 3am Tuesday 20 May.
The shutdown is part of ARTC's annual maintenance program and is a significant investment in the network.
More than 900 maintenance activities will be completed on the Hunter Valley line, including ballast cleaning, track reconditioning, turnout renewals, bridge construction, track and signalling maintenance and vegetation control, which will keep the network running safely and efficiently.
This closedown is aligned with maintenance works on the NSW North Coast line, which will close the track from Telarah in New South Wales to Acacia Ridge in Queensland from 6am Saturday 17 May to 6pm Monday 19 May.
ARTC crews will minimise the impact of the work wherever possible, including positioning light towers to shine away from residences, watering down work areas and limiting the number of machines operating at any one time.
Coaches and buses will replace NSW TrainLink services during the trackwork period and customers are encouraged to visit Transportnsw.info or call 13 22 32 for assistance in planning their journey.
Information on road closures or diversions and alternative routes can be found at livetraffic.com.
ARTC is reminding motorists and pedestrians to remain vigilant for altered traffic conditions near the rail corridor, pay attention to signage and to obey all road rules at level crossings, with rail machinery active on rail lines.
Clinton Crump, Group Executive Operations, ARTC said:
"The rail network requires regular maintenance to ensure that it continues to play a pivotal role in supporting vital links to the region's economic supply chain.
"The program of works is designed to minimise disruption to passenger and freight services and ARTC would like to thank the Hunter Valley community for its patience while these critical, long-term improvements take place.
"These maintenance works have been aligned with scheduled track work on the NSW North Coast line as part of a coordinated effort to minimise disruption to customer and passenger services while essential maintenance is undertaken."
