Londonderry Line Upgrade Work - News - Translink

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Londonderry Line Upgrade Work

NI Railways is preparing to enter the second phase of a major engineering project on the Londonderry line between Ballymena and Coleraine.

Initial track life extension work is now nearing completion and involved the repair of ‘wet spots’ that caused areas of weakness on the track responsible for significantly reducing train speeds.
  
Aim of the upgrade work

Phase two will include a five mile track relay between Ballymena (Broughdone) & Ballymoney. An estimated 1,250 tonnes of new rail will be used to complete the project.

Every week more than 1,200 tonnes of ballast will be dropped along the track throughout the forthcoming engineering phase and will also include around 4000 welds to remove joints in existing rails, 5000 metres of new drains, adjusting track lines and levels, stressing the rail to prevent buckling under severe hot or cold temperatures and bridge maintenance and replacement work. 
   
Period of Closure between Ballymena & Coleraine

While the work will cause no disruption for passengers initially, a period of complete closure between Ballymena and Coleraine is planned for next year from late March to June. We will keep all those affected by the closure fully informed on project developments and ensure that all passengers are aware of the bus substitution service in operation and any changes to rail timetables.

Although some work will need to be carried out at night, every effort will be made to keep noise to a minimum and we would ask for the continued support of the public as we continue to upgrade the local railway line.

Translink also asks the public to keep vigilant and use extra caution at level-crossings during this intensive phase of the track engineering project. 
  
Benefits of the work

• Improved Journey times
• Better quality of ride
• Speed restrictions removed resulting in line speed of 70mph
• Maintain high safety standards
• Improved drainage

We would like to thank you for your continued support as we improve local services and ask for your help in communicating these developments to our passengers ans wider public.

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