More than 200 sites across 300km of track along the 1000km route required remediation, including 40 washouts, 38 bridges, replacement of 47km of rail and 120,000 tonnes of ballast.
The works also involved the recovery of a Pacific National mineral train, which was derailed and isolated by the flooding.
The line is the responsibility of the state government-owned Queensland Rail (QR), which provides open access to rail operators over the route, principally Aurizon and Pacific National, which transport zinc and lead concentrate from Mount Isa to the port of Townsville.
Transport and main roads minister Mr Mark Bailey says a dedicated 400-strong QR taskforce assigned to the repair work also upgraded sections of the line that were previously under speed restrictions.
“QR made the most of the line’s enforced closure to deliver large-scale maintenance activities such as rerailing and reconditioning works in addition to the remediation works,” Bailey says.
“QR has been able to remove pre-existing speed and axleload restrictions on the upgraded sections along the line, delivering a significant boost for this critical North West supply chain, with end-to-end running times reduced by up to 50 minutes.”
Queensland Rail CEO Mr Nick Easy says the focus has now shifted to liaising with freight partners to resume services on the line and facilitate additional moves for product delayed by the extended closure.
“The North West supply chain will gradually return to schedule over the coming weeks and the first passenger service, an outbound Inlander service, is scheduled to depart Townsville on 11 May,” Easy says.
The Queensland government has committed $A 380m ($US 265.9m) over the next five years to further improvements on the Mount Isa line.
