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NSW Budget delivers major investment in rail

The Australasian Railway Association has welcomed the NSW State Government’s commitment to rail in the latest budget, stating it signals the most comprehensive investment in rail by any state.

The 2013-14 Budget includes investment in key rail upgrades across New South Wales.

 $4.1 billion has been earmarked for the North West Rail over four years, while $353 million will be spent on the continuation of works for the South West Rail Link.

The country regional network will benefit from $177 million, of which $48 million was allocated for work on grain lines.

While continued commitment to light rail was shown with a further $67 million allocated to complete the Inner West Light Rail extension, and $423 million will be invested over the next four years for the new CBD and South East light rail linking the CBD to Randwick and Kingsford.

ARA CEO Brya Nye said the rail industry has long called for a greater investment in passenger and freight rail in NSW.

“Today’s funding commitments for key rail projects will not only ease Sydney’s congestion, but will trigger the much needed shift of moving people and freight off the overcrowded and bottlenecked roads on to the more efficient and environmentally sustainable tracks,” he said.

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