An industry briefing by the NSW Government has provided details of the Northern Sydney Freight Corridor, a jointly funded initiative supported by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments to improve the capacity and reliability for freight trains on the Main North Line between North Strathfield and Broadmeadow, Newcastle.

 

The $1.1 billion project, overseen by Executive Project Director, Scott Lyall of  Transport for NSW, will involve construction of passing loops at Hexham and Gosford, the addition of a third track between Epping and Thornleigh, and construction of a rail underpass at North Strathfield.

 

Planning approval for the project is underway, and enabling works are expected to commence shortly.

 

The industry briefing was attended by representatives of 17 contractors and 100 engineering and rail firms.  Expressions of interest in the first phase of the projet, which aims to double the amount of rail freight, will be called in March. Contracts are expected to be awarded by late 2012 and early 2013.

 

The industry briefing can be downloaded here.