Australian Rail Track Corporation chief executive David Marchant said the Minimbah Bank Third Track project had been a key part of ARTC’s ongoing plan to keep rail capacity ahead of market demand for Hunter Valley coal.

“At present, the Hunter Valley rail network coal capacity averages around 107 million tonnes per annum,” he said.

“Current industry forecasts indicate demand on the Hunter Valley rail network will increase to 165 million tonnes per annum by March 2012.

“ARTC is therefore implementing a strategy of line improvements endeavouring to keep system capacity ahead of industry demands.”

The project has involved the construction of a 10.8 kilometre-long third rail track on the Main Northern Railway in an area known as the Minimbah Bank.

Officially opening the new section, local federal member Joel Fitzgibbon said the project would speed the movement of freight to the Port of Newcastle by improving the grade of the track.

“Instead of a steep climb up Minimbah Bank, which slows down the trains, the new track has a more gradual climb which will enable trains to maintain better speeds, reducing journey times and increasing locomotive efficiency,” he said.

The project was delivered by the Hunter 8 Alliance, comprising contractor John Holland, consultant GHD and client ARTC.

The alliance will start work later this year on a third track of 32 kilometres from Maitland to Minimbah.