The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and the New South Wales Government have signed an agreement that will transfer management and operation of Sydney’s Metropolitan Freight Network (MFN) to the ARTC until 2064.

 

The agreement will see the ARTC take responsibility for the remaining 19 kilometre section of the freight network between Enfield West and Port Botany.

 

"As signalling separation works are completed along the MFN, train control and maintenance will be progressively transferred to ARTC from RailCorp,” ARTC CEO John Fullerton said.

 

Mr Fullerton said the transfer of the MFN was an important milestone in ARTC's plans to provide its customers with a more reliable freight transit through the Sydney area.

 

“The rail yard at Port Botany has been fully modernised and resignalled to handle increasing volumes of container traffic to and from the Port,” Mr Fullerton said.

 

"Additional tracks are now under construction at Enfield and signalling works along the MFN will commence in the coming months - supporting a 30 per cent increase in rail freight capacity to and from the Port.