• ARTC has completed a five-day period of major works on the Botany Rail Duplication project
• Works included the demolition and installation of a new bridge at O’Riordan Street, Mascot
• The Botany Rail Duplication will allow freight to be moved more efficiently and effectively

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and delivery partner John Holland have successfully completed major works on the Botany Rail Duplication project, including demolition work and installation of a new rail bridge  at O’Riordan Street, during a five-day rail shutdown.

The Australian Government is fully funding ARTC to deliver the $400 million project, which will deliver better access to global export markets via Port Botany, improve freight supply chains across New South Wales and help reduce the number of trucks on local roads.

The O’Riordan Street bridge works involved installing 20 concrete planks to form the bridge deck, each weighing up to 31 tonnes. The planks were installed using a 750-tonne crane and 650-tonne crane working simultaneously.

The new bridge is 45 metres long, 12 metres wide and the two main girders each weigh 450 tonnes. The concrete girders were poured on site, supported by a temporary steel structure which was lifted into place earlier this year. This technique allowed part of the new bridge to be constructed alongside the track, minimising disruption to train movements and road users of O’Riordan Street below.

During the shutdown period, works also took place on 1.3km of track in Botany and Banksmeadow, including the installation of a new crossover, turnouts and significant commissioning of new rail signalling, which will allow trains to move bi-directionally along and between tracks – increasing operational flexibility and reducing delays to train movements.