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WELCOME TO RAILWAY
eNEWS - 18 March 2003
IN
THIS EDITION:
CONSTRUCTION
HIGHLIGHTS
Due to the wet weather
in the north, most of the construction work is proceeding as planned on
the section between Tennant Creek and Alice Springs, with trackwork south
from Tennant Creek and earthworks proceeding north of Alice Springs. Other
activities include:
- The opening of the Grade Separated
Crossing (road overpass) south of Wauchope,
- The commencement of the transfer
of sleepers from Katherine to Tennant Creek,
- The last of the concrete bridge
beams left the PCP Depot in Darwin on 14 March 03.
The Construction Progress Map at
http://www.aarc.com.au/aarc/info/progress.html
has been updated with statistics quoted to 22 March 03 - A few highlights
are:
Darwin
- Although minor works are in progress
on mud removal and replacement at Berrimah Yard, major construction
work is planned to recommence in the Darwin to Katherine section at
the end of the wet season.
- Bridgeworks on the Stuart Highway
overpass south of Adelaide River (KR190) have commenced with installation
of piers 60% complete.
- Rehabilitation of the Gouldian
Finch Wet Season Feeding Habitat areas is progressing well.
- Latest employment figures (to
22/02/03) show 220 Darwin residents are directly employed on the construction
of the railway.
- On 14 March 03, another milestone
on the project was achieved with the delivery of the last 12 concrete
bridge beams. There have been a total of 724 beams produced by PCP Constructions
in Darwin for the project, providing jobs for 17 employees. Each beam
weighs 27 tonnes and measures 12 metres long.
Katherine
- The latest employment figures
(to 22/02/03) show 170 Katherine residents are directly employed on
the construction of the railway.
- 310km of track is now complete
to the south of the town and 28 km to the north. The track between Katherine
and Tennant Creek was completed in December 02 and tracklaying north
from Katherine towards Darwin will commence in April 03
- Approximately 1,203,000 tonnes
of ballast (94%) have been produced at the Witte Quarry and the production
of sleepers reached 718,000 of the total 883,000 required.
Ballast production is expected to be completed by the end of March,
stay tuned for an update on this.
- ADrail commenced the transfer
of sleepers from the Katherine depot to the Tennant Creek Depot. The
transfer of sleepers is necessary to balance stocks in both locations.
In total there will be 42,000 sleepers transfered, with 3024 sleepers
being transported per train.
Tennant Creek
- Latest employment figures (to
22/02/03) show 154 Tennant Creek residents are directly employed on
the construction of the railway.
- Bridgeworks were completed on
the Stuart Highway overpass south of Wauchope (ASR320) and the crossing
was opened to traffic in February 02.
- Tracklaying north from Tennant
Creek was completed with the welding of the track between Katherine
and Tennant Creek on 13 December. Tracklaying south from Tennant Creek
recommenced after the Christmas/New Year period with 138kms laid to
the end of February.
- At the end of February, 1,456,000
tonnes of ballast (94%) was produced, production is expected to be completed
by the end of March.
- Production of sleepers reached
786,000 to the end of February.
Alice Springs
- Approximately 118,000 tonnes of
rail has so far been delivered to the Roe Creek Logistic Centre, by
rail, from OneSteel Whyalla SA, to be trucked north to Tennant Creek
and Katherine depots.
- The diversion road for the Stuart
Highway overpass north of Alice Springs (ASR17) was opened to road traffic,
so that construction on earthworks can commence.
- Drill and blast work continues
just north of Alice Springs. On 7 February, NT Chief Minister Clare
Martin accompanied Attorney-General Peter Toyne on a visit to view work
in the area. See
story and pics
The latest employment figures (to 22/02/03) show 51 Alice Springs residents
are directly employed on the project.
South Australia
- As announced in the previous eNews,
EDI Rail were awarded a $60 million contract to supply and maintain
locomotives and container wagons. This contract will provide long-term
employment for Port Augusta steel industry workers and is one of the
many benefits that the project will have for South Australians, over
and above the creation of a new export corridor between South Australia
and Asia. (see news room - 14/1/03)
- At present (to 22/02/03) 119 South
Australians are directly employed on the construction of the railway.
- South Australia industry has so
far been awarded contracts valued at over $334 million.
LATEST PROGRESS
MAP AVAILABLE NOW
The latest progress map is now available
on our internet site. Progress map updates have normally been issued twice
monthly in the past, it is intended that these updates will now take place
on a monthly basis until otherwise advised. Updates will be issued around
the 20th of the month covering activities for the previous month.
OTHER
NEWS
- Most Northern Territory residents
have not had to be aware of the presence of trains and we would like
to provide a timely reminder that trains are now operating along 800
kms of the 1420 km route. Please STOP, LOOK
AND LISTEN for trains, observe all crossing and safety signs
and signals when approaching crossings and in the vicinity of the railway.
The railway corridor is a construction site and access to the site without
authority from ADrail is strictly prohibited.
- On 23 January 2003, a construction
train travelling north from Tennant Creek with 55 ballast wagons, derailed
the last 4 wagons and caused significant damage to the track. No injuries
were sustained and there will be no effect on the completion date. ADrail
has conducted an investigation and is currently finalising tests into
the matter. See
ADrail's media release
- Due to the number of enquiries
we have had regarding the continuously welded rail, we have put together
a fact sheet to answer all those questions we have been asked. See
Fact Sheet
- NT Chief Minister, Clare Martin
headed a delegation visiting Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia, to talk
to Asian importers, exporters, freight forwarders, shipping lines and
businesses about trade between Asia and Australia. The delegation included
the NT Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the CEO of FreightLink and
officials from both the NT and SA Governments. See
news room for media releases
- Websites have been updated for
the Port of Darwin, FreightLink,
the NT Chief Minister's Office of
Territory Development (OTD) and Australia's
Asia Gateway. Those interested can click on the above links. There
are also new AustralAsia Trade Route publications on the OTD website
on Railway Construction, the AustralAsia Trade Route, the Business Park
and Australia's Asian Gateway.
- The photo
library has been updated to include additional photos.
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