Newcastle’s $290m light rail to shut down for week-long repairs to cracked tracks

Downer EDI experts will carry out the work to fix the cracks, which were discovered earlier this year on the $290 million light rail and prompted authorities to slow the light rail down to 10kmh on parts of the track.

The Newcastle light rail will shut down for a week on Monday. Picture: Troy Snook

Newcastle’s lauded light rail will shut down for a week as contractors work to fix a series of cracks that have appeared at four sections of the $290 million track, just 14 months after it opened.

Downer EDI experts will carry out the work to fix the cracks, which were discovered earlier this year and prompted authorities to slow the light rail down to 10kmh on parts of the track.

It is understood the trackwork will not cost taxpayers a cent, with the repairs to be performed under Downer EDI’s contractual warranty.

The light rail station near Civic, where cracks have appeared. Picture: Troy Snook

The 2.7km light rail opened in February last year to much fanfare.

However, cracks began to appear within a year.

Transport NSW confirmed that the services had been temporarily reduced to 10kmh through “three localised sections of the track after small cracks were detected at four weld posts during scheduled maintenance testing in late January 2020.

“Services are continuing as normal and there is no risk to the safety of customers and staff,’’ a Transport NSW spokeswoman said.

The four troubled locations are at Newcastle Interchange, Worth Place, the Civic light rail stop and Merewether Street.

Newcastle’s $290m light rail will stop for a week. Picture: Troy Snook

The work will involve removing and replacing sections of the track and surrounding concrete.

“Downer EDI are also taking this opportunity to complete additional maintenance work to ensure the light rail continues to operate well,’’ the Transport NSW spokeswoman said.

The work will commence at 5am on Monday, with buses replacing the light rail

along Hunter and King streets until the following Monday.

Commuters can also use bus routes 11 and 13 to travel in the Newcastle central business district.

A Downer EDI spokesman was contacted for comment.