Since the end of the wet season there's been noticeably more activity along the Flinders Hwy corridor with work crews carrying out road and rail upgrades particularly in the mid-west.
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Local economic group MITEZ said that in 2019-20, $60 million is planned to be invested on the rail line, including $20 million of capital investment on track infrastructure renewals occurring around Richmond.
Queensland Rail is undertaking renewal works on the Mount Isa line through re-sleepering and undercutting. Changing sleepers from steel to concrete and the removal of old ballast will see the reduction in speed restrictions and will also decrease the risk of track buckles in hot weather in these locations. Rail services have been planned around these closures which will run through until September 2020.
Richmond Shire Mayor John Wharton said his Council supported the project by ensuring these essential works were able to occur during these changing times with around 50 QR staff staying in accommodation in Richmond each week, bringing a welcome boost to the local economy.
"Richmond now has over 130 ensuite rooms and at present we need every one of them with the ongoing Queensland Rail Works Program that is expected to go out to September and again next year" Cr Wharton said.
The Inlander service is currently suspended due to the pandemic and Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said investing in the rail line was an investment in jobs and the region's industries.
"We repaired the line in record time last year, have provided $80 million to reduce rail charges and incentivise freight exports, and we're rolling millions of dollars to improve the line, making the freight journey faster and more reliable," Mr Bailey said.
QR General Manager, Supply Chain North, Wayne Prosser said they would close the network for 35 hours to perform a full track relay of the Mundic Creek Bridge (east of Pentland) on July 14.
Queensland Rail Asset Teams will upgrade the track structure to 60kg/m rail on pandrol e-clip concrete sleepers with new high-grade ballast.
"While the track is closed, Queensland Rail will additionally perform ballast undercutting near Pentland; undertake a full turnout replacement at Charters Towers and continue with the re-sleepering near Richmond," Mr Prosser said.
Trains have been scheduled to run in close succession during this period to keep disruption to freight movements down to a minimum.
MITEZ said that in the long term this project will improve efficiencies ensuring greater capacity for the Mount Isa to Townsville line.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
