Early Works Begin on Inland Rail Safety Upgrades in Regional NSW

In a significant move to enhance transportation safety and efficiency, early works are set to commence on the removal of two railway level crossings and the implementation of improved safety measures along the Inland Rail project corridor near Parkes and Illabo in regional New South Wales. This initiative, backed by a combined investment of $350 million from the Australian Government and the New South Wales Government, aims to revolutionize the region's transport infrastructure.

The project will see the level crossings on the Newell Highway at Tichborne and the Olympic Highway at Harris Gates replaced with grade-separated crossings, such as overpasses or underpasses. This upgrade is expected to significantly improve road and rail safety, while also facilitating faster and more reliable freight delivery.

Geotechnical investigations, biodiversity studies, and Aboriginal cultural heritage surveys at the Tichborne site will commence on Wednesday, February 12th. These works will be conducted on weekdays from 7am to 6pm until the end of March, weather permitting. During this period, intermittent traffic changes, including stop/slow traffic movements, will be in place on the Newell Highway. Similar investigations at the Harris Gates intersection are scheduled to follow in the coming months.

The Inland Rail project is part of a broader $450 million commitment to grade-separating Inland Rail interfaces with roads across NSW. This initiative aims to enhance national freight and supply chain networks while reducing transport emissions and improving road safety. Once completed, the project will enable double-stacked train movements up to 1.8 kilometres long, boosting the efficiency of goods transportation between Melbourne and Brisbane via inland NSW.

This development is expected to create thousands of jobs and better connect regional businesses, manufacturers, and producers to national and global markets, ultimately benefiting the regional economy and enhancing the overall safety and reliability of Australia's transport infrastructure.