Grand designs on forthcoming Inland Rail freight link

By Darren Linton

Dec 15, 2021

Tracking nicely: The Inland Rail project will eventually allow double stacked containers to be freighted between Melbourne and Brisbane. Photo by Holly Curtis

A design project will shape the next phase of the nation-building Inland Rail project, which will eventually allow double-stacked containers to be freighted between Melbourne and Brisbane.

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The Australian Rail Track Corporation has engaged McConnell Dowell to complete the first phase of designs and early delivery activities for Inland Rail in Victoria.

The $16.4 million contract includes design and preparatory works at four sites on the existing North East Rail Line to enable double-stacked freight trains to run between Beveridge and Albury.

McConnell Dowell will conduct site investigations to inform the preliminary and detailed designs for utilities, signalling, track slews and the update of rail structures at the Seymour-Avenel Rd bridge in Seymour, Murray Valley Hwy in Barnawartha North, Wangaratta Station Precinct, Wangaratta, and Beaconsfield Parade precinct in Glenrowan.

ARTC Inland Rail interim chief executive Rebecca Pickering said the work was a significant milestone in the delivery of the project.

“McConnell Dowell and their main design subcontractor Aurecon will now oversee the detailed design of new bridges, train station modifications and track lowering at these initial sites in Victoria, while we await planning, heritage and environmental approvals,” she said.

“They will also be undertaking early delivery activities to get ready for construction.”

By Darren Linton

Shepparton News chief correspondent