Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann

A $58 million project to replace three rail bridges in Muswellbrook in northern New South Wales ensuring safety and reliability of the freight line has begun.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said replacing the bridges would support the ongoing reliability and productivity of the Hunter Valley rail network.

“These are important works to upgrade three rail bridges in the heart of Muswellbrook, including constructing a new 26-metre-long rail bridge at Bridge Street and a combined road-rail structure crossing the Muscle Creek and Hunter River,” Mr McCormack said.

“This project will ensure the safety and reliability of the freight rail line as the existing bridges near the end of their structural life span.”

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said continuing to deliver projects such as this was important now more than ever for local jobs and the economy.

“This project will support up to 200 jobs, providing a timely investment into the Muswellbrook community to help support local businesses and employment throughout the region,” Minister Cormann said.

“Safe and efficient freight networks are critical to our national economy and to all Australians, particularly as our hard-working freight operators continue to deliver Australia’s valuable mineral exports to international markets and connect consumers with the goods they need.”

Senator for New South Wales Perin Davey said the Hunter railway network was one of the busiest freight rail networks in the country.

“More than 250 trains use this critical rail network daily. These include coal trains, passenger services as well as grain, general intermodal and other bulk freight trains,” Senator Davey said.

Works start to get underway next month with the project forecast to be completed in mid-2022.

The ARTC delivers more than $100 million annually worth of rail maintenance and construction projects throughout the Hunter Valley, supporting local businesses from the Port in Newcastle, north right up to Narrabri and west toward Dubbo.