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The $70m Sandgate Rail Grade Separation project helped to relieve a major bottleneck and improve safety in the Hunter Region’s coal transport network.
Coal trains travel to the port of Newcastle on dedicated coal tracks that run parallel to the main north railway line. Previously at Sandgate coal traffic waited for periods of up to 1 hour for a gap to form between passenger and freight services, allowing them to cross over the main north lines to access Kooragang Island. This resulted in significant delays and disruption up the Valley.
The solution is a new flyover and associated rail infrastructure which lifts the existing main line, allowing coal trains to pass underneath unimpeded. The works have had considerable impact, reducing disruption to local residents and enabling export growth for the Hunter Valley Coal Region.
Challenging site
The creative thinking of the design team helped to overcome a number of site challenges. Responding to the flat, wet, environmentally sensitive conditions the Arup team devised a number of innovative solutions to lay track and worked closely with Australian Rail Track Corporation’s team to deliver the works within tight deadlines.
The Sandgate Rail Grade Separation has been awarded the Engineering Excellence Award 2007 from Engineers Australia and the Innovation Award – NSW 2007 from Master Builders Association.
