Flooding shuts down East West rail line – again

THE AUSTRALIAN Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) is expecting the worst following the closure of the East West rail line following 24-hours of heavy rain and flooding in South Australia.

A media statement issued by ARTC on Sunday said the corridor between McLeay and Bookaloo had been significantly impacted, with track washaways of up to 100 metres in some locations.

While the weather system was moving east and dissipating slowly, further heavy rain is forecast in the Junta area which may affect the Broken Hill line, the ARTC statement said.

Its crews were inspecting the network between Crystal Brook and Broken Hill as well as Port Augusta to Whyalla to determine the full extent of the damage.​

“While the damage assessments are underway, a return to service timeframe has not yet been confirmed. Based on current conditions, restoration is expected to take longer than seven days,” the statement said.

“Another further significant weather system is forecast to move across similar areas later this week, which may exacerbate existing damage and recovery efforts. ​

“ARTC is maintaining communication with customers and is working alongside emergency services and state transport agencies as the situation develops.

“In preparation for recovery works, ARTC has mobilised crews and pre-positioned materials and equipment along the corridor to support rebuilding of the track.”

The closure follows on from two shutdowns of the East West freight line in January following flash flooding in northern South Australia and a partial derailment.

Both events caused the line to be closed for several days.

Flash flooding caused track washaways in several locations, with the worst impacts between McLeay and Bookaloo, which is the same stretch impacted by the current closure.