Sandgate Flyover

Sandgate Flyover
The Sandgate Flyover, with a Kooragang-bound coal train passing underneath
Coordinates32°52′19″S 151°42′10″E / 32.872036°S 151.702679°E / -32.872036; 151.702679
CarriesMain North Line
CrossesKooragang Island line
LocaleSandgate, City of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
BeginsSandgate station (east)
EndsIronbark Creek (west)
Named forSandgate
OwnerTransport Asset Holding Entity
Maintained byAustralian Rail Track Corporation
Characteristics
DesignGrade-separated railway flyover
MaterialPrestressed concrete
Rail characteristics
No. of tracks2
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
History
Constructed by
Construction startMay 2006 (2006-05)
Construction costA$80 million
Opened14 November 2006 (2006-11-14)
Inaugurated24 November 2006 (2006-11-24) by Mark Vaile, Deputy Prime Minister
ReplacesAt-grade junction
Location
Map

The Sandgate Flyover is a grade-separated railway flyover that carries the Main North Line across the Kooragang Island line, located in Sandgate, in the City of Newcastle local government area of New South Wales, Australia.

Description

Situated to the west of the Sandgate station, the overpass was built in 2006 by the Australian Rail Track Corporation to allow coal trains to access the Port of Kooragang without conflicting with services on the Main North Line. The previous at-grade junction required that approximately 120 coal trains per day had to cross from the coal lines over the main lines to reach the branch line to the port. The main lines also carried about 120 trains per day. At the time of its construction, it was estimated that the project, once completed, would increase bulk coal handling capacity of between 15 and 20 million tonnes (17 and 22 million short tons) per annum.[1][2]

At the time of the construction of the flyover, the main lines were raised over the junction of the coal lines to the Kooragang branch, so that the conflict between trains was eliminated. The junction improved line speeds with the 25 km/h (16 mph) points replaced by ones that allowed trains to operate at 60 km/h (37 mph). The flyover opened on 14 November 2006.[3][4]

Adjacent to the flyover lies a siding used by Crawfords Freightlines.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Sandgate flyover project commences" (PDF) (13). Australian Rail Track Corporation. May 2006: 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2006. Retrieved 1 May 2020. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ^ "Sandgate rail flyover near completion". ABC News. Australia. 28 August 2006. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Sandgate Rail Flyover Open" (PDF) (Press release). Australian Rail Track Corporation. 14 November 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 August 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  4. ^ "ATRC Sandgate Flyover Opened by Deputy Prime Minister" (PDF) (Press release). Australian Rail Track Corporation. 24 November 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 August 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  5. ^ Vincent, G. F. (2008). "Sandgate Flyover" (PDF) (Map). SA Track and Signal. Retrieved 1 May 2020.