The modernisation of the East West rail corridor continues on schedule and on budget, with a new passing loop at Callington (South Australia) on the line between Melbourne and Adelaide now built and operational.

Funded as part of the Gillard Labor Government’s Economic Stimulus Plan, the $8.2 million project involved the laying of almost two kilometres of new track as well as the installation of mainline turnouts and the latest signalling technology.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) received stimulus money to build seven new passing loops on the line between Melbourne and Adelaide (attached map).

“Twenty eight months later, the ARTC has already completed six of them, with work well advanced on the remaining one,” said Mr Albanese.

“As well as supporting jobs and businesses during the global recession, our unprecedented investment in the nation’s rail infrastructure is helping to build a modern, prosperous Australia.

“Indeed we’re undertaking the biggest federally funded capital works program since the Fisher Labor Government built the transcontinental railway between Port Augusta and Kalgoorlie almost a century ago.”

ARTC CEO John Fullerton said the modernisation of the East West corridor was progressing well, with completion of the seven new, longer passing loops expected to expand the line’s capacity and make rail even more competitive.

“The upgrade of the passing loop at Callington is another important step forward for ARTC in improving the East West corridor and increasing line capacity between the capital cities,” Mr Fullerton said.

“The investment we’re making has also been good news for the wider community. Not only has it created jobs in the short term, it will also allow more freight to be transported by rail – which over time will mean fewer trucks on our roads.”

Every 1,500 metre train can carry as much freight as 100 semi-trailers.

The project was delivered by ARTC Services Company in partnership with Transfield Services.