Australia's Queensland Rail said it will be able to rebuild rail tracks hit by floods this month earlier than expected in early April.
The 1,000 km damaged rail line is being used by major Australian mining companies such as Glencore, South 32 and MMG Ltd to transport lead concentrate and zinc from the mining area to Townsville Port.
“ Our coordinated remanufacturing team will allow us to reduce our Mount Isa Line repair time to eight to twelve weeks, subject to favorable weather and construction conditions , said Queensland's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rail Nick Easy.
“ This will allow us to reopen the line by mid-May 2019 ,” he added. Queensland Rail owns the rail line and has previously stated that the repairs will be completed within six months.
The railroad was damaged by severe floods that flooded vast swaths of Queensland in early February, killing many livestock, damaging 16 railroad bridges, and destroying mines and industries in the region.
Queensland Rail CEO Easy said about 400 workers have been involved in the repairs and that 50 damaged sections have been repaired, but 200 more remain to be repaired.
