Arc has commenced preliminary works to deliver the Agricultural Supply Chain Improvement Project Package 1 (ASCI) works.
To complete the upgrade from 16 to 19 Tonne Axel Load (TAL) and deliver a more productive and resilient freight rail infrastructure network for the benefit of WA growers, Arc is undertaking a significant rail renewal project.
Included in the scope of the upgrades to achieve the TAL increase, Arc will be:
- Replacing 55,00 timber sleepers with low-profile concrete sleepers
- Replacing 6,010 sleepers with new steel sleepers
- Placing 40,000 tonnes of new rock metal ballast.
Arc is also renewing the rail, which will be delivered to site in 864 “strings” of 110m rail lengths.
Arc receives rail from Whyalla in South Australia in 27.5m lengths, which are then flashbutt welded together at our facility in Kenwick.
To achieve all the required rail to deliver the full ASCI upgrade, the flashbutt facility will have completed 3,456 welds.
Operations and Logistics Lead Paul Jones said he was proud of his team’s work to complete the extra workload.
“In 2025 we welded more than 97km of rail, both for ASCI and for Arc’s other regular maintenance activities, which has been a huge effort from the team.”
A flashbutt weld is a welding process that involves inputting a massive electric current through both pieces of rail being joined. The electric current makes the rail so hot that after about a minute and a half, it is possible to push the two rail pieces together. This process, after some grinding and measuring activities, creates a seamless connection between the two pieces of metal, which is critical to meet safety and speed requirements across Arc’s network.
Delivery of the rail strings to site has already commenced.
For more information about ASCI, click here:
projects - Arc Infrastructure
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