$501m upgrade still on track

Written by STEVEN BURKE. - Wangaratta Chronicle - 16 Feb 09

WORK on the $501 million North East Rail Revitalisation Project is going full steam ahead, as the

Standard Gauge Track

old broad gauge line is converted to a standard gauge track.

Several level crossings were closed to traffic last week to allow workers to remove wooden sleepers and replace them with concrete sleepers.

More traffic interruptions will take place this week, with the Shanley Street crossing to be closed from 5am to 5pm on Wednesday and the Gravel Pit Road crossing to be closed from 5am to 5pm on Saturday.

But for all the short term pain, there will be a long term gain.

Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) spokesperson, Brad Emery, said the use of concrete sleepers would mean train passengers will no longer have to deal with heat speed restrictions on hot summer days.

"The concrete sleepers have no give in them, so the line can’t buckle like it does with wooden sleepers," he said.

Mr Emery said the sleeper replacement was progressing well and that work had not been slowed by recent hot weather.

"The guys are working 10 day shifts and are getting through the sleeper replacements extremely quickly," he said.

Mr Emery said the project remained on track for completion in 2010.