Ballast Cleaning and Drainage, ARTC Hunter Valley
Project Description
Fundamental to the reliability of the rail network is a free draining ballast bed and effective drainage within the corridor. The ARTC Hunter Valley corridor maintenance strategy includes provisions for ballast cleaning for identified rail sections.
Swietelsky Rail Australia (SRA) has been involved in ballast cleaning in ARTC's Hunter Valley network since its establishment in 2011. In 2014 SRA mobilized a ballast cleaning consist, including an RM80 ballast cleaner and fleet of 8 x MFC 45 spoil handling wagons. This machine consist is supported by SRA's highly experienced operations team, and has successfully delivered over 300km of ballast cleaning since being awarded a dedicated contract years ago.
For this project, SRA provide a “fence to fence” service to our client. This ensures the best corridor outcome, by including additional works such as drainage, and vegetation management activities within the ballast cleaning operation.
In May 2023, it was announced that SRA continues to be the preferred contractor for ballast cleaning in the ARTC's Hunter Valley network, with the contract extended to June 30, 2025.
Project Stats:
- Client | Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC)
- Network | ARTC Hunter Valley
- Timescale | Works delivered across six major closedowns each year
- Quantity | 300km+ network ballast cleaned.
- Scope | Ballast Cleaning with a “fence to fence” approach which includes spoil management, material deliveries, site coordination, drainage works, vegetation control, level crossing management and upgrades.
- Conformance | Completed sections handed back at line speed.
- Total length complete | 300km+
- Project Value | Total project value exceeding $100m
Client
Australian Rail Track Corporation
Range of Services
