Northern Sydney Freight Corridor nears completion

The $1.1 billion Northern Sydney Freight Corridor upgrade has reached a major milestone with the last section of track now being laid.

Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Warren Truss, said the rail line should be fully functioning by mid-2016.

“This particular project involves the construction of six kilometres of new and upgraded track within the rail corridor between Epping and Thornleigh stations on the western side of the existing tracks,” Truss said.

“The corridor is vitally important to the national economy, shifting about 1.7 million tonnes or 15 per cent of interstate freight by rail. When the project is finished, northbound freight trains will enjoy additional capacity.”

Works on the last section include the construction of retaining walls, electrification works, noise proofing and landscaping.

New South Wales Minister for Roads and Freight, Duncan Gay, said the project would deliver extensive upgrades to the area's rail line.

“NSW is the freight ‘through state’ of eastern Australia, by removing more than 200,000 trucks a year we improve safety, cut congestion and reduce wear and tear on our roads,” Gay said.

“The NSW government is committed to improving freight movement across the state—our investment of nearly $117 million into this track is testament to this.”

The upgrade is expected to remove around 200,000 truck movements from NSW roads each year by 2030.

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