MAJOR sleeper replacement works have kicked off on a critical grain line to help improve the Murray Basin Rail Network as the $440 million, nation-building project ramps back up.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said almost 70,000 new sleepers were being installed between Korong Vale and Sea Lake after the Federal Government announced an additional $200 million for the Murray Basin Freight Rail Network late last year.
“I’m pleased that work has now started on this important 141km track, which services two major Victorian grain terminals,” the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development said.
“These works will improve safety and reliability along the line, with four level-crossing renewals and maintenance on more than 3000 joints.
“This is just the start of a pipeline of shovel-ready works on this project that both governments will deliver.”
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said the state’s farmers were already seeing the benefits of the Murray Basin Rail Project.
“Freight trains have returned to the Mildura and Murrayville to Ouyen lines, the Maryborough to Ararat line reopened after 15 years and we’ve seen significant upgrades to the Hopetoun, Manangatang and Yelta lines,” Ms Allan said.
“We know how important the Murray Basin Rail Project is to Victorian primary producers. We’re excited to get on and deliver work ahead of the next grain season.”
The State Government last year undertook a review of the original Murray Basin Rail Project business case, prepared in 2015.
It was backed by farmers and freight operators, who wanted to see the upgrade works start as soon as possible.
Federal Member for Mallee Anne Webster said the works would remove bottlenecks and improve the network’s efficiency, replacing 23,000 sleepers between Inglewood and Korong Vale and nearly 28,000 new sleepers between Dunolly and Inglewood.
“Since being elected as the Member for Mallee, I’ve heard first-hand from communities and industry that work must continue on this critical project,” Dr Webster said.
“I remain committed to making sure this project delivers for these stakeholders and plans for the future of the network.”
