Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) signed an agreement with Leighton Contractors to create the Upper Hunter Valley Alliance which will deliver a program of works on the Hunter Valley Rail corridor. The program incorporates two works packages designed to increase the coal carrying capacity of the Hunter Valley Rail network.

In alliance with ARTC, Leighton Contractors will be commissioned to undertake all civil and track works in accordance with the ARTC 2009 – 2018 Hunter Valley Corridor Capacity Strategy from Singleton to Muswellbrook (Upper Hunter 1) and Muswellbrook to Werris Creek (Upper Hunter 2).

Leighton Contractors will be supported by sub-alliance partners Parsons Brinckerhoff, Coffey Geotechnics and KMH Environmental. The ongoing upgrade of the Hunter Valley rail corridor is essential to enable the network to keep pace with increasing demand for coal from the region.

The program of works to be undertaken by ARTC and Leighton Contractors is part of ARTC’s strategy to maintain the Hunter Valley rail network to meet future market demands, deliver coal to port efficiently and thereby contribute to the ongoing recovery of the Australian economy.

• Nundah Bank Track triplication – a third track approximately 8km long to be laid at Nundah Bank 
• Drayton Junction Upgrade
• Werris Creek By-Pass
• Scone Yard Reconfiguration
• Passing loop construction – passing loops will be constructed at Braefield; Quipolly; Quirindi; Wingen; and Koolbury; and
• Passing loop extension – passing loops will be extended at Parkville; Murrurundi to cater for longer trains.