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Government pours $125 million into freight productivity

National freight productivity will get a shot in the arm with the Federal government pledging $125 million to roll out several new projects.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss announced the money will be used to start the rollout of the Advanced Train Management System across the national rail network and for the next stage of the Port Botany Rail Line Upgrade.

“The Advanced Train Management System will lift innovation in the sector by replacing current high-cost, low-reliability track-side signalling with a state-of-the-art computer system that will underpin the national network's future operations,” Truss said.

“This will increase the capacity of existing networks by allowing trains to run closer together, as well as improving safety by allowing greater control over trains by network operators.

Truss advised the Australian Rail Track Corporation that $50 million is immediately available project.

While $75 million will go towards getting Stage 3 of the Port Botany Upgrade underway which will see the upgrade of the Port Botany Rail Line on segments that have sub-standard track condition, such as poor ballast, replacing the last remaining timber sleepers with concrete, and replacing sections of worn or low weight rail with higher grade steel to increase load capacity.

“By including these projects into our $35.5 billion Infrastructure Investment Programme we recognise the importance of freight rail to our national prosperity and in unlocking our constrained economic productivity,” Truss said.

“Enhancing the efficiency and productivity of our freight network is a basic principle behind delivering the infrastructure for the 21st century. This will improve the efficiency of Sydney's freight network.”

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