Major work continues on the foundations of the Muswellbrook bridges during the maintenance shutdown next week.

The three-day shutdown is required for maintenance personnel to gain safe access to the track, delivering projects to ensure a safe, reliable network.

Timing of high noise generating piling works has been adjusted to reduce the impact on the community during the maintenance shutdown period.

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) will continue its work replacing three rail bridges in Muswellbrook as part of a four-daymaintenance shutdown of the Hunter Valley Rail Network.

ARTC Group Executive Hunter Valley Network, Wayne Johnson said around 1200 workers are delivering maintenance jobs across the network and nearly 500 of which will be throughout the Upper Hunter from 9-12 February including further works on three Muswellbrook rail bridges (the Hunter River Bridge, Muscle Creek Bridge and Bridge Street bridge).

"During this shutdown period we will continue construction of the bridge foundations for the new bridge over Bridge Street and around 230 metres of new track will also be constructed within the work area," said Mr Johnson. "

There is also some piling works scheduled during this shutdown period that will be carried out to the west of the main construction site between the Hunter River and Muscle Creek," he said.

"ARTC is committed to carrying out all piling works (which causes sudden, loud banging) between 7am and 9pm each day to reduce community disturbance following community feedback during a planned works period last year," he said.

Mr Johnson advised that no major traffic changes are planned during the February work period.

"We may need to schedule short duration road closures of under three minutes at Bridge Street, however, these short closures will be scheduled outside peak hours to decrease traffic interruptions and there will also be traffic controls in place during these times," he said.

The shutdown work will start at approx. 6.30am on Tuesday, February 9 and is expected to be completed about 6.30am on Friday February 12 with works to include:

• Muswellbrook Bridge replacement program .
• Upgrading nearly two kilometres of track formation .
• Replacing a major crossover and turnout at Maitland .
• Replacing around twelve kilometres of worn rail .
• 27 track undercutting sites .
• Replacing major steel components on nine turnouts .
• Track defect removals .
• Scheduled maintenance activities.

"We thank our customers, community and motorists across the network for their patience while we carry out this important planned maintenance program."

Alternative bus services will be provided for impacted passenger services, and details and schedules can be found at the Transport NSW website.

The next major maintenance shutdown is scheduled for April 2021. For further details http://www.artc.com.au/community/track-work/