- Track improvements will build on 88 minutes in journey-time savings already achieved on the Sydney-Melbourne corridor over the past year
- 74.5-hour shutdown brings together maintenance and upgrades across 122 worksites
- Around 1,000 rail specialists to improve network performance and reliability
A major rail shutdown on the Sydney-Melbourne line will bring together months of maintenance and upgrades in just 74.5 hours, building on improvements that have already cut freight journey times by 88 minutes over the past year.
The planned works form part of the almost $2.8 billion Network Investment Program, a joint initiative by the Australian Government to deliver a stronger, more reliable national rail network, alongside ARTC’s $190 million annual maintenance program.
The line will close between Chullora in NSW and Tottenham Junction in Victoria from 11.30pm Friday, 6 November, to 2am Tuesday, 10 November, with approximately 1,000 rail specialists from the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and its contracting partners working across 112 sites in NSW and 10 sites in Victoria.
The works will target key causes of delays, including replacing ballast beneath the track at four major locations between Picton and Joppa Junction in NSW to improve track condition, allow existing speed restrictions to be removed and help prevent new ones.
Crews will also resurface more than 25 kilometres of track between Sydney and Cootamundra and replace nearly two kilometres of rail across nine locations around Moss Vale.
Engineers will also prepare for new signalling equipment at Goulburn as part of the Southern Highlands Overtaking Opportunities (SHOO) project. The upgrades, planned for March 2027, will allow passenger trains to overtake slower freight trains more easily, helping reduce network delays.
The Sydney-Narromine-Albury Cabling (SNACU) upgrade will complete its final track works between Joppa Junction and Cullerin, removing old equipment to improve signalling reliability on the corridor.
Planning for the shutdown began over 12 months ago to bring as much work as possible into one period and reduce disruptions to freight and passenger services. ARTC will minimise impacts where possible, including managing noise, light and dust during the works.
The shutdown will also support regional communities, with workers staying in towns along the corridor and spending money at local businesses.
Coaches will replace NSW TrainLink and V/Line services during the shutdown. Customers are encouraged to plan ahead at transportnsw.info (13 22 32) or V/Line (1800 800 007).
Information on road closures or diversions is available at Live Traffic NSW.
Motorists and pedestrians should remain alert near the rail corridor, follow signage and obey road rules at level crossings. Heavy rail machinery may still be operating on the tracks.
For updates, visit the ARTC Trackwork website or call the Community line on 1300 550 402.
Clinton Crump, Group Executive Operations, ARTC, said:
“This shutdown brings together an extensive program of work in a short window, allowing our teams to maintain and upgrade the network while minimising repeated disruptions for freight operators and passengers.
Removing temporary speed restrictions, renewing track and improving signalling reliability are all important to delivering more consistent journeys and a stronger network.
Alongside our ongoing maintenance program, the almost $2.8 billion Network Investment Program, supported by the Australian Government, is helping us address the causes of delays and improve the performance of this important freight corridor.”
