BETTER access to the Port of Newcastle for regional producers is expected to result from the reopening of the Beni Creek rail bridge near Dubbo.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation has said it is preparing to reopen the bridge, restoring an important freight connection for central west New South Wales.
The timber rail bridge was destroyed by a fast-moving grass fire in December last year, closing the track between Dubbo and Elong Elong and impacting freight services between Dubbo and Newcastle.
After months of planning and reconstruction work, the new bridge is expected to be ready for testing from 11 May.
The reopening is expected to help restore a more direct freight pathway for regional producers and operators moving goods to market.
The ARTC said it has worked closely with impacted customers and operators throughout the closure to support alternative freight routes, including via the Main Western line and the recently upgraded Inland Rail corridor.
The new Beni Creek bridge is a two-span concrete ballast top structure, designed to improve load capacity and reliability, while reducing future maintenance requirements.
ARTC group executive operations Clinton Crump said the reopening of Beni Creek bridge was “an important milestone for regional producers, freight operators and communities who rely on this line to move goods safely and efficiently to market”.
“ARTC understands how important reliable rail connections are for farmers and freight customers across Central West NSW, particularly when it comes to supporting access to the Port of Newcastle,” Mr Crump said.
“This project has been delivered with strong collaboration, careful planning and a real focus on restoring services as quickly and safely as possible.
“Under normal conditions, a bridge replacement of this nature could take significantly longer, but the work of our teams and contractors has enabled us to bring the line back earlier than initially anticipated.”