The alliance will complete the construction of a 36km dedicated freight line between Macarthur and Sefton in southern Sydney. The SSFL will provide a third track in the rail corridor specifically for freight services, allowing passenger and freight services to operate independently.
“The delivery team integrates rail systems specialists and highly experienced construction personnel who have previously delivered some of Australia’s most challenging rail infrastructure projects,” said Mike Metcalfe, executive general manager of the construction division at Leighton Contractors. “This is the second major project we a re delivering with ARTC and we look forward to contributing further to the development of rail infrastructure in New South Wales.”
ARTC chief executive officer John Fullerton said that the SSFL will improve services to freight rail customers by removing the current peak hour curfew. “It will also allow more freight trains to operate between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, providing positive outcomes for the economy, the environment and road safety,” he said. “Each freight train means 100 less trucks on our interstate routes and, with rail consuming far less fuel than road transport, the project will be helping to reduce carbon emissions.”
The alliance expects to start construction in October and completion is scheduled for late 2012.
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