Tasrail has begun planning an upgrade to Tasmania’s freight rail lines, following the Federal Government releasing its share of the Infrastructure Investment Program (IIP) funding as part of Tasmania’s Freight Rail Revitalisation Program.

The news comes on top of the Tasmanian Government’s commitment to match the Federal Government’s contribution for the Revitalisation Program, with funds expected to flow this month.

TasRail CEO Damien White said the resourcing of project materials has commenced and tender documents were in the final stages of preparation.

“The first IIP works programs to be released are for major culvert replacement works on the Bell Bay Line and critical track upgrade works on priority sections of the South Line, the Western Line and the Melba Line,” Mr White said.

Mr White said previous investment by the Tasmanian and Federal Governments has enabled a turnaround in TasRail’s business performance, particularly in the safety and reliability of the rail network.