Northern Sydney Freight Corridor Program
Project overview
Key benefits
- increases capacity for interstate freight trains, allowing rail to compete more with road transport
- improves reliability of passenger services on the Main North Line
- removes the most serious bottleneck on the East Coast rail corridor that connects Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane
The Northern Sydney Freight Corridor (NFSC) Program will improve the capacity and reliability of freight trains between Strathfield and Broadmeadow, Newcastle.
Transporting freight by rail has less impact on the environment and can reduce road congestion. The NSFC will remove more than 200,000 heavy vehicle road trips per year within 15 years. It will also reduce diesel use by almost 40 million litres and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 100,000 tonnes each year.
A joint Australian and NSW Government initiative, the program is made up of four key projects:
- Epping to Thornleigh Third Track – completed 2016
- Gosford Passing Loops – completed 2015
- North Strathfield Rail Underpass – completed 2015
- Hexham Freight Loop – completed 2012.
Project status
More information regarding construction activities and the environment and planning approvals process is available on each project page.
Related projects
Gosford Passing Loops
Two passing loops were built between Gosford and Narara Stations so freight trains on the Main North Line can let passenger services pass.
Status
Complete
North Strathfield Rail Underpass
This project included construction of a new rail underpass at North Strathfield and a new aerial concourse for Concord West Station.
Status
Complete
Epping to Thornleigh Third Track
The new track separates northbound freight trains from all-stops passenger trains along the steep incline between Epping and Thornleigh.
Status
Complete