The UK’s Network Rail is set to start £60.4m engineering works to upgrade the Felixstowe branch next month as part of its Railway Upgrade Plan.
The project will involve upgrading the single track branch line by installing a 1.4km track loop near Trimley Station.
The additional track will increase the frequency of freight trains, as well as improve the reliability of existing passenger services on the line.
Additionally, several level crossings will be modernised to enable smooth bi-directional operations as part of the work.
Network Rail Anglia route managing director Meliha Duymaz said: “This is a significant upgrade to one of the most important freight routes in the country.
“This work will help us to meet the demand for freight to and from Felixstowe port, and at the same time, increase reliability for passenger services.
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By GlobalData“The long-term strategy to move more freight by rail is good for the UK economy and will lessen the traffic on busy roads like the A14.”
After the completion of upgrade works, the branch line is expected to support an additional ten freight trains in each direction to and from the Port of Felixstowe.
Each train is estimated to take off up to 76 trucks from the road, thereby reducing road congestion and pollution in the region.
Network Rail freight and national passenger operations managing director Paul McMahon said: “This is a vital first step to growing capacity on the network to meet the needs of our customers.
“The £60m investment by the Strategic Freight Network is set to deliver an additional ten paths in each direction by 2019.”
A majority of the upgrade works will take place on the weekends and are expected to be completed by second half of next year.