Queensland Transport Minister Rachel Nolan yesterday announced the $49 million duplication of the Blackwater rail system in the Central Bowen Basin had been completed.
“The commissioning of the Grantleigh to Tunnel section means nearly 200 km of track has been duplicated on the Blackwater system since 2006, providing additional flexibility and increased capacity for coal export through the Port of Gladstone,” Nolan said.
“More than 380 jobs have been created during construction of this project.”
Eight of the 12 planned duplications outlined in Queensland Rail's COALRail Infrastructure Program have now been delivered, resulting in about 80% of Blackwater being duplicated.
“The Blackwater system carries more than 50 million tonnes of coal per annum, which translates to about $10 billion in export revenue for the Queensland coal industry,” Nolan said.
“Currently there are also plans to commence another duplication project in 2010 west of Rockhampton between Rocklands and Kabra, which would further support the Gladstone coal supply chain.”
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