57 level crossings now safer thanks to Inland Rail upgrades

As part of the Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 project, ARTC Inland Rail is increasing safety at 57 level crossings along the rail corridor. All 57 crossings will be upgraded with bigger and brighter signage, better road approaches and new rubber crossing panels.

Even more importantly for the communities between Narrabri and North Star, 10 public level crossings will be upgraded from passive to active, meaning they will get boom barriers, bells and flashing lights.

The 10 public crossings being upgraded with flashing lights, bells and boom barriers are:

Tarlee Road level crossing, Edgeroi

Penneys Road level crossing, Penneys Road

Millie Road level crossing, Bellata

Gurley Creek Road level crossing, Gurley

County Boundary Road level crossing, Milguy

Croppa Creek Road level crossing, Crooble

Buckie Road level crossing, Croppa Creek

Croppa Moree Road level crossing, Croppa Creek

Croppa Creek Road level crossing, North Star

I B Bore Road level crossing, North Star

ARTC Inland Rail Narrabri to North Star Phase 1 Project Director Peter Borrelli said ARTC Inland Rail utilises a consistent safety-based approach for determining public level crossing treatments.

“This looks at factors including current and future road and rail traffic volumes, vehicle types, speeds, and sighting distances,” he said.

Using this approach, ten passive crossings (which are currently controlled by stop or give way signs) were identified for an active crossing upgrade to improve public safety,” he said.

With the number and lengths of heavy vehicles using the road network increasing, ARTC Inland Rail is ensuring there is sufficient space between the level crossing and a neighbouring intersection. This is especially visible along the Newell Highway, where the rail line runs parallel to the highway and sufficient stacking distance for 36.5m road trains has been provided.

In some instances the new rail line or the highway has been realigned to achieve this important safety element.

All private passive crossings will have fencing, gates, signage and road approaches upgraded as part of the project.

With track upgrades between Narrabri and Moree now complete and trains running on this section of track for the first time in seven months, Mr Borelli is also urging the community to stay rail safe.

“Make sure to be vigilant and take extra care near the rail line and at all level crossings as freight trains and NSW TrainLink’s Xplorer are running again through Narrabri and Moree,” Mr Borrelli said.

“Did you know it can take a loaded grain train up to one kilometre to stop after the emergency brakes have been applied, and the Xplorer train even longer?”

At all level crossings – stop, look, listen and then cross.

For more information about Inland Rail, visit inlandrail.artc.com.au.