The country’s most extensive rail  works, the upgrade to the Interstate Rail Network, has entered the home straight according to Federal Minister for Infrastructure Anthony Albanese.

 

The replacement of ageing timber sleepers with 3.4 million Australian-made concrete sleepers is due for completion within weeks, and will mark the completion of the major works in the project.

 

“Funded in part by our successful Economic Stimulus Plan and manufactured by Austrak in Wagga and Rocla in Braemar and Grafton, the new sleepers will increase the Network’s capacity and reliability, allowing it to carry bigger trains at faster speeds including during the hotter summer months,” Mr Albanese said.

 

“All up, we are currently rebuilding and modernising more than a third of the nation’s 10,000 kilometre Interstate Rail Network. Our aim here is simple: we want more freight on the back of trains. This would not only take the pressure off our highways, but also reduce harmful carbon emissions and boost national productivity.