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Newdegate line reopens after record flooding

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WORKS UPDATE 06.12.2017

Newdegate line reopens after record flooding

Grain train movements have resumed in the Newdegate-Lake Biddy area today following the completion of the works to repair and restore rail infrastructure extensively damaged by widespread flooding earlier in the year.

Newdegate line reopens after record flooding teaser

Arc Infrastructure completed the repair operation allowing services to resume along southern grain lines to support this year’s harvest.

Testament to the extent of the damage caused, large sections of the track, rail structures and culverts were completely washed away during the February flooding with other areas of the network in the Lakes District remaining submerged for months.

Arc Infrastructure's General Manager Asset Management and Projects Paul Lowney said the Company was committed to delivering a safe and sustainable solution that provided certainty to the growers in the region who depend of the rail line.

“While we had wanted to restore services to this final section of the network earlier, large volume of water remained in the Lakes District and further recent rains delayed the safe return of rail operations in the area,” Mr Lowney said.

“Throughout this process we worked closely with the sole customer of the line to ensure they were kept informed of progress and we thank our employees, contractors and CBH for their hard work, support and understanding during the clean-up efforts and look forward to working with them as services resume.”

About the project
  • The project area included approximately 50km of freight rail line from Lake Grace to Newdegate.
  • The extreme weather conditions in February this year produced widespread damage throughout the Great Southern. According to Bureau of Meteorology statistics, the Newdegate-Lake Biddy area received more rainfall in two weeks in February this year than any similar period since 1955.
  • With most significant flooding occurring in the Lakes District, Arc Infrastructure worked with project partners to deliver a long-term solution to the affected rail line that raised the existing track formation up by up to one metre to enable it to withstand any further extreme flooding events that might occur.
  • This is the last section of the network to reopen following other sections of the rail line throughout the Wheatbelt, Great Southern and Goldfields returning to normal operation earlier in the year.

Media Contact:
Andrew Bennett
Corporate Affairs Advisor
Phone: 0459 869 624
Email: andrew.bennett@arcinfra.com

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