Botany Rail Duplication
The Botany Rail Duplication focused on expanding a 2.9km segment of the rail line leading into Port Botany, converting it from a single track to a dual-track system.
The project was complemented by the Botany Yard signalling project, which upgraded signalling along an approximate 3km alignment within the Botany Yard. Construction commenced in early 2022, with the project commissioned in early 2024.
The Botany Rail Duplication was critical state significant infrastructure, with upgrades designed to enhance freight efficiency by accommodating more trains and reducing the need for road transport.
Client: John Holland
Project Type: Transport/Infrastructure
This expansion has boosted the capacity of the Botany Line and the broader Metropolitan Freight Network. A single train on the upgraded line can transport as many containers as 54 trucks, promoting a shift from road to rail and easing traffic congestion.
The rail duplication forms part of the larger Sydney Gateway project and was delivered by John Holland on behalf of the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC). The Botany Rail Duplication was delivered to:
- Relieve bottlenecks and expand Sydney’s freight rail capacity to address both current and future needs.
- Improve operational efficiency, flexibility, and reliability for freight services, aligning with NSW Government objectives to increase rail freight usage.
- Enhance connections to intermodal terminals to achieve desired freight capacity goals.
The Botany Rail Duplication, along with the Cabramatta Loop Project, is expected to accommodate the anticipated growth in container freight between Port Botany and metropolitan intermodal terminals. This project complements ongoing upgrades around the airport and port area, including other parts of the Sydney Gateway project, to improve traffic flow and reduce road congestion.
Key features of the project include:
- Track duplication: Laying an additional track along a 2.9km stretch.
- Track realignment: Adjusting the existing track layout to fit the new track.
- New crossovers: Installing crossovers to allow trains to switch tracks.
- Bridge construction: Building new rail bridges at Mill Stream, Southern Cross Drive, O’Riordan Street, and Robey Street.
- Embankments and retaining structures: Creating new embankments and retaining walls.
- Ancillary works: Upgrading bi-directional signalling, drainage, and relocating utilities as needed.
Douglas provided contaminated land services to John Holland for the project, including:
- Tender support.
- Support to communications with stakeholders on contamination issues.
- Assessment of contamination over an active railway corridor.
- Weekend and night work to fit in with possession and site access constraints.
- Over 10 Douglas environmental consultants (scientists, engineers and asbestos assessors) worked on the site to meet project timeframes.
- Assessment of risks and modelling of site data to prepare a robust conceptual site model for PFAS to support decision making on remediation requirements.
- Provision of advice on applicable chemical control orders and liaison with the EPA on associated regulatory requirements.
- Preparation of a remediation strategy to meet our client’s, key stakeholders and regulatory requirements.
- Construction phase services for contamination, remediation, waste management and occupational hygiene.
- Provision of advice to assist John Holland in meeting their commitment to best practice and sustainable remediation.
- Preparation of a long-term management plan.
- Liaison with the EPA accredited Contaminated Land Site Auditor to support their provision of a Site Audit Statement to meet consent conditions.
