The Andrews Labor Government is delivering the major rail projects regional Victorians need, with works this spring to cater for more frequent and reliable services.
Key infrastructure for the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication will start to take shape while coaches replace trains.
Local road users are encouraged to plan ahead while the new rail bridge at Surf Coast Highway is lifted into place during a road closure between Baanip Boulevard and the level crossing in late September.
The project includes the removal of the Fyans Street and Surf Coast Highway level crossings which cater to more than 70 trains and around 46,000 vehicles each day.
Work will also continue on major upgrades to South Geelong and Marshall stations, preparing for the new second platforms, pedestrian overpasses and ramps.
Upgrades to train detection technology will continue at level crossings between Waurn Ponds and Warrnambool, as part of the more than 50 public level crossings being upgraded as part of Stage 2 of the Warrnambool Line Upgrade to allow modern VLocity trains to run to Warrnambool for the first time.
Coaches will replace trains between Geelong and Warrnambool from Saturday 2 September to Sunday 10 September and from Wednesday 8 November until Thursday, 23 November.
Major upgrades to the Shepparton Line will be delivered in October and November, as part of the third and final stage of the Shepparton Line Upgrade to enable nine weekday return services between Shepparton and Melbourne.
Sleepers and ballast will be replaced, and bridges and culverts upgraded on more than 25 kilometres of track between Mangalore and Murchison East to enable trains to travel faster and make journeys more reliable.
Coaches will replace trains between Southern Cross and Shepparton from Sunday 1 October until Friday 24 November.
V/Line will carry out important maintenance and upgrade works progressively over the next few months on the Ballarat, Ararat and Maryborough Lines, the Seymour and Shepparton lines, and the Gippsland Line.
The work includes heritage restoration works at Ballarat station, a major upgrade to the Goulburn River rail bridge, and the installation of box culverts which allow water stop flow under the rail line without interrupting services.
Coaches will replace trains between Bacchus Marsh, Ballarat, Ararat and Maryborough from Saturday 16 September to Monday 28 September; between Seymour and Southern Cross from Sunday 22 October to Friday 10 November and between Southern Cross, Traralgon and Bairnsdale from Thursday 23 November to Saturday 9 December.
Work to prepare the Gippsland Line for a new signalling system will take place alongside V/Line maintenance.
To find out more about how we're building big in your area, and to check before you travel, visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
"We're investing more in regional transport infrastructure than any previous government in Victoria's history and continue to deliver projects like the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication, allowing us to provide more frequent and reliable services to growing regional communities."
As stated by Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll
"Whether it's making fares fairer through the regional fare cap, providing more V/LINE services or maintaining our train lines, we're delivering the transport network regional Victoria needs."
