- Maintenance works across the Hunter, Newcastle, and up to Acacia Ridge, QLD
- Major rail corridor shutdown from Saturday 16 May to Tuesday 19 May
- Essential track maintenance and targeted upgrades improving safety and resilience
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) will carry out essential maintenance and improvement works on the Hunter Valley and North Coast rail corridors this weekend to maintain safety and reliability.
The works will take place between:
- Telarah in New South Wales to Acacia Ridge in Queensland from 5:00am Saturday 16 May to 7:30pm Monday 18 May
- Hamilton to Turrawan in New South Wales from 3:00am Saturday 16 May to 3:00am Tuesday 19 May
The shutdown is part of ARTC's annual maintenance program and is a significant investment in the network.
Work will be delivered across more than 180 sites on the North Coast and Hunter lines including rerailing, bridge and structural upgrades, a level crossing upgrade at Casino and signalling works - enhancing safety, and strengthening network resilience for both freight and passenger services.
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 the region's economic supply chain and travel connections to communities in New South Wales and Southeast Queensland.
"The program of works is designed to minimise disruption to passenger and freight services, and ARTC would like to thank the Hunter Valley and North Coast communities for their patience while these critical, long-term improvements take place.
