New Rail Projects

["David R. Moyle" <bigtree@optusnet.com.au>]

BY-PASS MOVES FOR NORTH-EAST VIC

Back in 1968 ,  newspapers reported moves to free Wodonga  from the impact
of the railway corridor  placement within the city.
Nothing eventuated.
Now in 1999, Premier Kennett has promised $18M  for new plans to  remove
the railway infrastructure.

Federal funding is also being sought.

Such a proposal has coincided  with plans to place a  new interstate by-pass
route  via
Wahgunyah/Corowa using the  currently "suspended services" Springhurst -
Wahgunyah broad gauge line.

Standardisation of this line and construction of a new link  via  a new
inter-modal bridge crossing over the Murray would connect  to the  closed
Corowa - Brocklesby  section of the Culcairn line.
 ( Also  in "services suspended" mode)

Junctioning just out of Corowa the new line would link  with other NSW lines
leading to the  proposed Eastern Trunk railway to Darwin.

The by-pass section would continue via Brocklesby to Culcairn  linking into
the present  Sydney route.

Fast freight and Sprinter - type services would continue to operate  to  a
new Wodonga freight and passenger terminal.

Similar service placements would occur  in NSW to Albury.

With the new Wahgunyah  bridge  to be placed  by 2002 and catering
initially for up to 1 500 vehicle movements per day   (One per minute),  the
accompanying new roads infrastructure is expected to generate a marked
increase in road-based  freight transport  into central NSW.

With the placement of the new rail service route,  inter-modal Freight
Centres are planned for Wahgunyah and Corowa, both centres  being home to
major regional   and national industries.

The proponents are looking to place the latest in bi-modal freight handling
and trans-shipment technologies.

15 May 1999

Inquiries/ Comments to RUTHERGLEN RAIL INITIATIVE    per
bigtreeco@telstra.easymail.com.au