A REVAMPED Wangaratta railway station has been officially opened, an important cog in the development of the Inland Railway project.
It means major works on Tranche 1 of the Inland Railway project between Beveridge and Albury project are now complete.
Inland Rail is expected to allow for double-stacked freight trains to run between Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, cutting rail freight travel time between the two capital cities to less than 24 hours.
Modifications of the station precinct and the replacement of the adjacent Green Street bridge at Wangaratta were required to allow sufficient clearance for double-stacked freight trains.
Federal infrastructure minister Catherine King said the project was essential for Australia to keep pace with population growth.
“Inland Rail will transform the way we’re able to move freight across Australia; it’s essential infrastructure that will help us keep pace with our nation’s population growth,” Ms King said.
“The project is now well on the way, with the opening of the Wangaratta station and the completion of the first of two tranches on the Beveridge to Albury section.”
Ms King said Inland Rail was projected to carry 70% domestic use goods, allowing food to be moved from growers to suppliers at speed.
Inland Rail chief executive Nick Miller said the opening of the Wangaratta railway station precinct and the completion of Beveridge to Albury tranche was “an exciting milestone for the whole project”.
“We are another step closer to running double-stacked freight trains from Melbourne to Brisbane,” he said.
“The high numbers of local workers and businesses engaged on the project is a terrific result and it’s something we want to replicate all the way to Brisbane.
“We’re determined this project leaves a legacy in the towns it touches, and not just new railway infrastructure.”