South Improvement Alliance
The Project
Upgrading the rail track from Melbourne to Sydney includes 220km of new passing lanes, extensive upgrading of railway infrastructure and the modernisation of the line’s signalling system.
The upgrade’s aim is to increase line capacity, reduce transit time and increase rail’s share of the multi-million dollar interstate freight transport market.
Transit times from Sydney to Melbourne are expected to reduce from 13 hours 10 minutes to 10 hours 40 minutes for 1,500m super freighters and 11 hours 30 minutes for 1,800m super freighters.
Scope of Work
The scope of work included:
- Construction of 16 passing lanes with double track sections of around 10-15km length
- Manufacture, delivery and installation of approximately 1,600,000 new concrete sleepers on curves and straights to allow trains to run at faster speeds
- Ballast top-up and tamping of over
- 130km existing concrete sleepers to achieve maximum train speeds
- Construction of a direct standard gauge connection between Brooklyn and Sunshine in Melbourne to provide direct access between the north-south and eastwest corridors
- Installation of eight sets of facing crossovers to minimise operational delays during upgrading and future renewal projects
- Construction of 60 bridges
- Upgrading of signals and improving level crossings
Community
The SIA works closely with local communities and stakeholders to ensure they are fully informed throughout all phases of the project, and provide opportunities for community participation.
Environment
The SIA has developed a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) for each project to identify, avoid or minimise impacts on areas of environmental or cultural significance, while complying with regulatory and statutory requirements.
Employment
The SIA has created employment opportunities for locals in regional areas it passes through as well as providing a boost to local economies. Some workers have gone from working one project to another, turning short term employment into long term opportunities as well as gaining additional experience and skills.