The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has said the Sydney to Perth rail corridor (via Broken Hill) is expected to remain closed for two to four more weeks following a period of severe weather.  

Inspections have confirmed major damage to rail infrastructure, with complex repair work needed to fix structural damage to a rail bridge impacted by flash flooding.  

ARTC said it has deployed specialist engineers and is reviewing its options to ensure the work gets completed in a timely but safe manner.  

Elsewhere along the route, recovery works are underway, with crews, contractors and specialised equipment mobilised to restore the corridor to service.

ARTC said it is also working closely with freight operators to explore opportunities for extra services between Melbourne and Adelaide.

This would allow services that normally travel Sydney to Perth via Broken Hill to be re-routed through Melbourne and Adelaide where capacity allows.

The Melbourne to Perth rail corridor reopened this week, and the Adelaide to Darwin rail corridor also remains open, ensuring continued freight connectivity to and from the Territory.

“This is not a routine weather event,” ARTC said. “ARTC remains in direct communication with customers and will provide further updates as recovery progresses.”