THE Hunter Valley will again be the focus of attention next week when a major maintenance shutdown kicks off to complete the last round of essential rail maintenance works for the year.
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The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) will be carrying out track reconstruction, installing new rail, improving level crossings, cleaning ballast, tidying up the rail corridors and ensuring the signals are in peak performance.
“There will be two stages of works within the rail corridor,” ARTC’s Hunter Valley Network group executive Jonathan Vandervoort said.
“Stage one is from Kooragang to Muswellbrook north.
“Stage two is from Muswellbrook to Narrabri.”
Hundreds of passenger and freight trains run on the ARTC network every week and safety is always the number one priority.
“We know that these works can be disruptive but we are very grateful for the support of the Hunter Valley community,” Mr Vandervoort said.
“We’d like to thank everyone for their patience while these important works are carried out.”
Mr Vandervoort also asked motorists to be alert at all times and advised that there are a number of road closures during the works.
“There will be trucks and other vehicles going in and out of the work sites,” he said.
“Please be vigilant so we can help keep everyone safe around worksites.”
ARTC also has a strong focus on innovation.
“We continue to look at ways to improve safety where there is people and machinery involved,” Mr Vandervoort said.
“For example, during our last maintenance shutdown, we trialled proximity safety devices which were fitted to a dump truck and an excavator – when workers came within a particular distance, an alert was sounded notifying the operator.”
For further information about the trackwork, visit the calendar which will give you an idea of the work that may be taking place in your area.
The next major maintenance works in the Hunter Valley are from February 20 to February 23, 2018.
Passenger service customers are advised to visit www.nswtrainlink.info and www.sydneytrains.info regarding changes to passenger services.
Some services are being bussed.
There are a number of road closures due to the works, too.
Works will take place:
6.30am, Monday, November 20 - 6.30am, Friday, November 24
Kooragang / Warrabrook
Hanbury Jct to Thornton Coal Roads
Thornton to Maitland Coal Roads
Maitland Yard
Maitland to Allandale
Allandale to Branxton
Branxton to Minimbah
Minimbah to Whittingham
Whittingham Branch
Whittingham to Camberwell Jct
Camberwell Jct to Mt Owen Jct
Mt Owen Jct to Newdell Jct
Newdell Jct to Drayton Jct
Drayton Jct to Muswellbrook
6.30am, Monday, November 20 – 8.30pm, Thursday, November 23
Muswellbrook to Ulan
Muswellbrook to Werris Creek
Werris Creek to Gunnedah
Gunnedah to Boggabri
Boggabri to Narrabri
Road closures –
ARTC is carrying out important maintenance works at a number of level crossings and major roads.
Segenhoe Road, Aberdeen
Closed from 6am Monday, November 20, to 6pm, Tuesday, November 21, expect delays Thursday, November 23, between 8pm and 10pm
Callaghans Lane, Quirindi
Closed from noon to 2pm, Wednesday, November 22
Wollombi Road, Farley – detours via Sawyers Gully Road, Kurri Kurri and Old North Road, Lochinvar
Closed from 6am, Saturday, November 18, to 6pm, Sunday, November 26
Brook Street, Muswellbrook
Closed from 6pm, Tuesday, November 21, to 2am, Wednesday, November 22
Ogilvie Street, Denman
Closed from 6am, Wednesday, November 22, to possibly 6pm, Thursday, November 23
