This section of the project is currently taking place along approximately 10km of track between Branxton and Minimbah.

In early March, the crew successfully completed the concrete pour for the bridge deck of the new Black Creek overbridge. This comes on the back of the timely opening of the Hermitage Road bridge at Belford, just prior to Christmas.

Over 3000 tonnes of capping material has been delivered to site between Branxton and Belford, with more to come in the next month. Once the capping has been placed and compacted, the track team will commence laying the new track.

Other activities such as turnout installations (the sections of track that contain movable rails which allow for a train to enter an alternate route), drainage extensions and embankment stabilisation works are nearing completion.

Works for this section are currently taking place along approximately 14km of track between Farley and Greta.

Similar to the Western section of the project, the team has recently poured the concrete deck of the new bridge at Station Lane, Lochinvar. The finishing touches are currently being put on the bridge with the installation of the road base and it is expected to be open to traffic by mid April. Work on upgrading Lochinvar Station with a new pedestrian access ramp and car park is also progressing well.

The earthworks team in this area have excavated over half of the material required for the third track, and are also busy completing the remaining clearing, grubbing, drainage extensions and utility relocation works.

Since October 2011, the Hunter 8 Alliance has been conducting works at Hermitage Road outside of standard construction hours (Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays between 7am and 5pm), to ensure that the new bridge is opened in a timely manner.

As of Thursday December 15 2011, these construction hours will be increased to include Monday to Friday, between 7am to 8pm, until Friday December 23, 2011.Please see the attached map for an approximate location of the works.  

During this time, Hunter 8 construction crews will be conducting various road works for the Hermitage Road bridge. The equipment used will include rollers, sweepers, semi-trailers as well as various other vehicles. Traffic controls will be put in place throughout the duration of the works and noise is not expected to exceed the levels that surrounding residents currently experience.

Recent poor weather has caused delays and these increased working hours will be conducted in an effort to ensure the timely opening of the bridge and to eliminate the potential hazards associated with the level crossing.

The Hunter 8 Alliance will be conducting out of hours construction works at the Black Creek bridge from 6pm to 7pm on weekdays and on Saturdays from 1pm to 5pm, from Saturday November 26 until December 23, 2011. Please see the attached map for the approximate location of the works. These additional construction hours are due to the delays caused by the recent bad weather.

During this time, construction crews will be making preparations to install girders for the bridge extension. These works will include formwork, steel fixing, concrete pouring, pile trimming and pile boring. The installation of the actual girders will not take place until next year however the girders will be delivered to site between the hours of 12.00am to 5.00am between December 13 and 15.

Construction impacts such as noise are expected be minimal for local residents. Any questions can be directed to the Community Consultation Team on 1800 216 317.

The Hunter 8 Alliance will be conducting a controlled blast approximately 3km west of Branxton Station on Tuesday November 22, 2011.

The blast is scheduled to take place between 3pm and 4pm. A minimal amount of explosives will be used to split the rock on the Northern side of the rail, to accommodate the third track.

The blasting will take place as part of the Track Possession (where the rail line is closed for maintenance) scheduled between Tuesday November 22, 2011 and Friday November 25, 2011.

During this time, Hunter 8 construction crews will be conducting 24 hour works there such as rock hammering, excavating, and transporting materials to and from the work sites.

There may be periods where noise is expected to be above the normal levels that residents west of Branxton currently experience. Affected residents have been contacted and noise and vibration monitoring will be taking place during the blast.

An SMS or phone service will be available to advise when the blast is about to take place. Please contact the Community Consultation Team on 1800 216 317 if you would like to be notified or have any further questions regarding the blast.

Works will be taking place at Station Lane continuously from Tuesday November 22 to Friday November 25, 2011.

The girders for the Station Lane overbridge are expected to be delivered to site via police escort between 1am and 5am on Tuesday November 22 and Wednesday November 23. Traffic control will also be monitoring the delivery.

Installation of the girders will then take place between 6am and 6pm on Tuesday November 22, Wednesday November 23 and Thursday November 24. Preparatory earthworks for the modifications to Lochinvar Station will also be carried out during this time.

These works have been scheduled during the track possession to minimise disruption to local residents as much as possible. Noise and some possible light spill are expected during this time however this will be minimised wherever possible.

Following the possession works, a crushing plant is expected to be in operation on the northern side of the railway line, parallel to Station Lane for approximately 2-4 weeks. The location of the work area is shown overleaf.

There will be some noise and dust while these works are taking place. However a water cart will be operating to minimise the impact of dust as much as possible. In addition, Hunter 8 will be conducting noise monitoring while the crushing plant is in operation.

Construction crews will be working on the widening of the rail overbridge at Allandale during the November Track Possession (closure of Hunter rail line for maintenance).

Works around the bridge will be conducted continuously (24 hours) from 6am on Tuesday November 22 until 6am on Friday November 25, 2011.

Allandale Road (between New England Highway and Camp Road) will be closed to traffic between approximately 8pm and 4am on Tuesday 22, Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 November. Local resident access will be permitted to Allandale Road and Old North Road, however Allandale Road will be completely blocked at the railway bridge.

Partial road closures may be in place outside of these times. A suggested detour for travel to Allandale Road is via Nelson Street and Camp Road Greta. An SMS service updating residents on the latest timings for the road closure will be available during the works. Contact the Community Consultation Team if you would like to receive this service.

Construction crews will be installing girders for the new bridge extensions. Noise and some possible light spill are expected during this time however this will be minimised wherever possible.

The Hunter 8 Alliance will be conducting two controlled blasts in the Allandale area on Tuesday November 22, 2011.

The two blasts are scheduled to take place between 2pm and 4pm. A minimal amount of explosives will be used to split the rock on the Northern side of the rail, to accommodate the third track. Please see the attached map for the approximate location of the blasts. Part of the preparatory works for the blast will require the team to commence work at the blasting site on Tuesday November 22, 2011 from 4:00am. During this time, a truck and excavator will be moving through the cut in preparation for the blasts.

The blasting will take place as part of the Track Possession (where the rail line is closed for maintenance) scheduled between Tuesday November 22, 2011 and Friday November 25, 2011. During this time, Hunter 8 construction crews will be conducting 24 hour works there such as rock hammering, excavating, and transporting materials to and from the work sites.

There may be periods where noise is expected to be above the normal levels that residents in Allandale currently experience. Affected residents have been contacted and noise and vibration monitoring will be taking place during the blast.

An SMS or phone service will be available to advise when the blast is about to take place. Please contact the Community Consultation Team on 1800 216 317 if you would like to be notified or have any further questions regarding the blast.

The Hunter 8 Alliance will be conducting works outside the project's standard construction hours at Station Lane on Saturday 19 November between 1pm - 6pm and on Sunday 20 November between 8am - 3pm due to delays caused from recent bad weather.

Hunter 8 construction staff will be conducting various earthworks in preparation for the installation of the girders for the new Station Lane overbridge.

Works will be conducted during these times in an effort to ensure the timely opening of the bridge to eliminate the potential hazards associated with the current level crossing. The equipment being used will include trucks, rollers and graders.

Works will be taking place in the Farley area from Tuesday November 16th until Monday December 19th, 2011. These works are in relation to the November Track Possession, where the rail will be closed for maintenance work between Tuesday November 22nd and Friday November 25th, 2011. The Hunter 8 construction team will be conducting various preparatory works in the week prior to the possession, as well as some follow up activity once the possession is complete. Details for each scope of works are as follows:

Pre-possession: November 16 - 21 (normal construction hours)

During this time, the Hunter 8 Alliance will be transporting and stockpiling materials during normal construction hours (Monday to Friday, between 7am and 6pm and Saturday between 8am and 1pm). There will be a number of truck movements along Wollombi Road, Green Street, Lismore Avenue, Brooks Street and Wentworth Street throughout this period. Traffic controls will be in place for certain areas.

Track Possession: November 22 - 25 (Continuous)

There will be continuous (24 hour) track reconditioning and stockpiling works taking place immediately to the west of the Wollombi Road bridge continuing east for approximately 800 metres. Other works will also be taking place in the stockpile area located approximately one kilometre west of the Wollombi Road bridge.

During this time, Hunter 8 Staff will be conducting various construction activities including excavating, stockpiling, tamping, re-sleepering, re-railing, drainage works and vehicle movements to and from various stockpile locations.

Post Possession: November 28 - December 19 (normal construction hours)

Activities for this scope of works will primarily consist of site demobilising and material transport. Trucks will utilise the same access routes that will have been used both prior to and during the possession.

We will be working to minimise impacts such as dust, noise and light spill throughout the duration of the works.

The Hunter 8 Alliance will be transporting and stockpiling materials during normal construction hours in the Greta area from Wednesday November 5th to Monday November 21st, 2011.

During this time, there will be a number of truck movements along Nelson Street and Mansfield Street. Trucks will also utilise access roads on the northern side of the rail by Greta Station and on the southern side of the railway by the Nelson Street overbridge. See the attached maps for the approximate location of the works.

Traffic controllers will be in place for these works, a water cart will be on site and speed restrictions will be implemented along the access roads in order to reduce impacts such as dust.

These works are in preparation for the November track possession, where the rail is closed for maintenance work between Tuesday November 22nd and Friday November 25th, 2011. There will be continuous (24 hour) works during the possession period taking place one kilometre west of Greta Station, as well as to the east of the Nelson Street overbridge. See the attached maps for approximate locations of the works.   

Hunter 8 Construction crews will be conducting various activities during the possession including excavating, transporting material, stockpiling, tamping, re-sleepering, re-railing and drainage works. The machinery that will be used during the possession works will include excavators, graders, rollers and dump trucks.

Greta Station (including the car park) will be closed throughout the duration of the possession works. Bus services will replace trains and will be operate from the corner of the New England Highway and Nelson Street.

Noise and some possible light spill are expected during the possession. Noise monitoring will take place during the works and affected residents will be contacted regarding noise attenuation measures.

The Hunter 8 Alliance will be conducting out of hours construction work at Black Creek this Saturday November 5, 2011 from 9:00am to 5:00pm.Please see the attached map for the approximate location of the works.

During this time, construction crews will be working on the backfilling of the abutments for the Black Creek bridge extensions. The equipment being used will be minimal and are not expected to create noise levels that will exceed 5dB above the background levels.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the Community Consultation Team on 1800 216 317 or communityinput@hunter8.com.au.

The Hunter 8 Alliance will be conducting works outside the project's standard construction hours in the Branxton area on Sunday October 9, 2011 between 8:30am and 4:00pm. Please see the attached map for the approximate location of the works. 

During this time, the Hunter 8 Alliance Construction Team will be undertaking necessary vegetation clearing activities. Due to the close proximity of the tree branches to power lines, Ausgrid will assist in lowering power lines that service specific properties to allow the safe removal of trees near overhanging power lines in the area. The equipment being used will be minimal and includes an Ausgrid Service Light Truck with EWP as well as a 20 tonne excavator with grabs/rotor attachments.

Timings for these works have been scheduled under the instruction of Ausgrid to ensure minimal disruption. Adjoining residences and commercial operations that may be affected by the works have been notified.

The proposed works are separated from the nearest sensitive receiver by 400m so the activity should not create noise levels in excess of 5dB above rating background levels. Noise is expected to be minimal and therefore, no additional noise mitigation measures are planned.

The Hunter 8 Alliance will be undertaking emergency track works approximately 500 metres east of Winders Lane from Wednesday 5 October possibly until Friday 7 October. Works will be taking place 24 hours a day to repair the damage caused by recent wet weather.

During this time, Hunter 8 staff will be conducting various construction activities including excavating, stockpiling and tamping.

Noise and some possible light spill are expected during this time however this will be minimised wherever possible. Hunter 8 apologises for any inconvenience that this work may cause.

The Hunter 8 Alliance will be conducting works outside the project's standard construction hours at Hermitage Road on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays between 7am and 5pm from October to December, 2011. Please see the attached map for the approximate location.

Hunter 8 construction staff will be conducting various earthworks and roadworks for the Hermitage Road bridge. Works will be conducted during these times in an effort to ensure the timely opening of the bridge to eliminate the potential hazards associated with the current level crossing. The equipment being used will include dozers, excavators, compactors, rollers and graders.

There may be periods where the works will create noise that will exceed 5dB above the normal background noise levels that surrounding residents currently experience during these times. Reasonable and feasible mitigation measures will be implemented during this time including:

• A review of all machinery on site to ensure that impacts are minimised wherever possible
• No fixed equipment being used or installed during the works (all equipment during the works will be continuously moving)
• All excavation, compaction and roadwork zones will be no closer than 220m from any residence.

Construction works will be taking place in Allandale on Saturday August 20, 2011 between 7.00am and 3.00pm, due to delays caused from recent bad weather.

During this time, Hunter 8 staff will be conducting piling works on the Allandale Road bridge in preparation for the Third Track.

The traffic controls currently in place during normal construction hours will be used during this time and noise from these activities is not expected to have an impact on residents in the area.

There will be some blasting taking place on Tuesday August 9, 2011 in the Branxton area.

There will be two blasts in total, with one approximately 900m west of Branxton (Cut 19) taking place at 11.30am, and a second one approximately 3km west of Branxton Station  (Cut 21) between 2pm and 3pm.

A minimal amount of explosives will be used to split rock on the Northern side of the rail, in order to accommodate the third track. Please see the attached map for approximate locations of where the blasts are scheduled to take place.

The blasting will take place as part of the track possession. The track possession is scheduled between Tuesday August 9, 2011 and Friday August 12, 2011. There will be continuous works undertaken during this time by the Hunter 8 Alliance and the ARTC.  

Vibration monitoring will be taking place during the blasts, however noise and vibration is expected to be minimal in the area. Any questions can be directed to the Community Consultation Team.

Works will take place immediately to the west of Nelson Street overbridge, Greta and continue to the west of Greta Station for approximately two kilometres.

During this time, Hunter 8 Staff will be conducting various construction activities including excavating, stockpiling, tamping, re-sleepering, re-railing, drainage works, signalling works and ballast cleaning.

Noise and some possible light spill are expected during this time however this will be minimised wherever possible.

Works will begin approximately 200m to the east of Wollombi Road underbridge, Farley and continue for approximately one kilometre.

During this time, Hunter 8 Staff will be conducting various construction activities including excavating, stockpiling, tamping, re-sleepering, re-railing, drainage works, signalling works and ballast cleaning.

Noise and some possible light spill are expected during this time however this will be minimised wherever possible.

The Old North Road Bridge is scheduled to be removed during the first 48 hours of this period followed by vehicle movements and other construction related activities.  

Noise and some possible light spill are expected during this time however this will be minimised wherever possible.

Construction works will be taking place on Saturday July 30, 2011 and on Saturday August 6, 2011 between 8:00am and 5:00pm. Works have been scheduled on these days due to delays caused from recent bad weather.

During this time, Hunter 8 staff will be conducting some rock drilling approximately 1.6km east of Pothana Lane. Please see the attached image for the approximate location of the proposed works.

Noise from these activities is not expected to be impactful however feel free to contact the Community Consultation Team on 1800 216 317, or communityinput@hunter8.com.au if you have any further questions.

The Hunter 8 Alliance will be conducting works outside the project’s standard construction hours on Saturday July 23, 2011 between 8:00am and 5:00pm. Works have been scheduled for this period, due to delays caused from recent bad weather.

During this time, Hunter 8 staff will be conducting some rock drilling approximately 500m west of Branxton Station. Please see the attached map for the approximate location of the proposed works.

Noise from these activities is not expected to have an impact on residents in the area.

Construction works will be taking place around Hermitage Road over the next five Saturdays (July 9, 16, 23, 30 and August 6), between the hours of 7:00am and 5:00pm.

During this time, Hunter 8 staff will be working on the construction of the Hermitage Road overbridge which will include works on the reinforced earth wall, as well as the construction of concrete abutments. Noise from these activities is not expected to affect local residents.

Work on the Maitland to Minimbah 3rd Track Project will be occurring outside normal work hours on the Saturdays of the 2nd, 9th and 16th of July 2011 at Jump Up Creek using the compound facilities at Belford. The intended hours of work on these days will be 7am to 4pm.

Construction activity during this time will include foundation works along Jump Up Creek, as well as the construction of the new creek causeway.