A crucial upgrade project for the East-West rail corridor between Port Augusta and Kalgoorlie is nearing completion.
The project involves the installation of new reinforced concrete box culvert structures which aim to mitigate the impacts and potential disruptions caused by culvert and track washaways during a flood event, ensuring the continued reliability of rail services in the face of increasing climate variability.
The upgraded culverts are expected to improve the ability to manage stormwater and reducing the risk of flooding and erosion along key sections of the rail line.
It will also reduce the risk of network disruption and support the uninterrupted transportation of goods and resources crucial to the region’s economy.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) is delivering this $7 million early works package to upgrade 18 sites along the critical East-West rail corridor.
The upgrades of these culverts are in addition to the more than $1billion being invested by the Australian Government and ARTC into rail lines through the Network Investment Program to improve resiliency.
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ARTC director of infrastructure projects, Heather Parry, said the corporation is working to improve the resilience, reliability and operational performance of its network.
“As extreme weather events become more common, it is vital that we invest in strengthening infrastructure to improve the resilience and reliability of essential national rail infrastructure and ensure network reliability for our customers.”