The Victorian Government is getting on with major transport projects under strict safety precautions to support jobs and continue delivering the projects Victorians need – with major road and rail works set for spring.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan today announced works across roads, rail and tram lines over coming months – with some disruptions to have less impact than usual with transport patronage and road use lower than usual as Victorians stay home to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Work on the West Gate Tunnel is continuing with the Millers Road inbound ramps to close for six weeks from Friday 21 August to shift and rebuild the ramps as the project works to widen the West Gate Freeway from eight to 12 lanes.
The section of Millers Road under the freeway in Altona North will also be shut during September, alongside a one-week closure of the Geelong-bound on-ramp at Forsyth Road to improve access to the Princes Freeway.
Spring will see work continue on 15 level crossing projects around Melbourne, with work underway on the Upfield Line corridor to build two new stations and remove four level crossings – including the notorious Bell Street crossing – freeing up a vital arterial road and easing frustration for the 40,000 drivers who travel across the tracks each day.
Buses will replace trains between Cranbourne and Dandenong Stations from 8-13 September as work continues on the Cranbourne Line Upgrade, duplicating eight kilometres of track and removing four more level crossings between Cranbourne and Dandenong – taking the line one step closer to being Melbourne’s first crossing-free corridor.
The spring disruptions will allow for piling and earthworks at Eumemmering Creek, critical power and signalling equipment installations along the line, and the relocation of the Greens Road boom gates to prepare for construction of the new rail bridge to accommodate the duplicated track.
On the Frankston line, buses will replace trains between Mordialloc and Frankston/Stony Point for one week from late on Tuesday 1 September until last train on Sunday 6 September for power, signalling and utility works to prepare worksites for the removal of five more level crossings at Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach.
There will also be a series of overnight closures as part of the Monash Freeway Upgrade project in August and September between the South Gippsland Freeway and Princes Highway to install new smart overhead lane-use management signs, giving the 470,000 motorists who use the freeway each day live traffic incident information.
As part of the Mordialloc Freeway works, Governor Road in Braeside will be shut for six weeks from late August. Crews will start to build a bridge over the road as well as construct new turning lanes to enter and exit the freeway.
Underneath the city, the Metro Tunnel’s twin nine-kilometre tunnels between Kensington and South Yarra are taking shape, with all four tunnel boring machines currently in action.
The Sunbury Line Upgrade will continue in November with track, power and platform upgrades preparing for more modern trains when the Metro Tunnel opens. Buses will replace trains on parts of the Sunbury line from 7 to 22 November and the Bendigo line from 7 to 21 November – impacting Geelong services on weeknights and weekends.
Buses will replace trains between Newport and Werribee stations from 2.45pm to the last service each day from Monday 24 August to Sunday 13 September to enable important safety and performance testing for Melbourne's new High Capacity Metro Trains.
Essential maintenance for smoother journeys along our tram network will be carried out in Malvern, South Melbourne, Parkville and Pascoe Vale South, with buses replacing trams for a week in October on parts of Routes 48 and 75 to upgrade the tram stabling in East Melbourne, boosting capacity for more trams during special events.
To ensure the safety of all workers and the community, all construction and maintenance work carried out during stage 4 restrictions will operate under a High Risk COVID Safe plan. Workforce numbers have already been significantly reduced across Victoria’s Big Build following directions from the Chief Health Officer.
Victorians are reminded to avoid the transport network unless leaving the house for essential purposes, to always wear a face covering when in public, practice good hand hygiene and physically distance wherever possible.
Visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au to find out more about the spring program of works and associated disruptions.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
“These critical projects are building a better transport system, while supporting local jobs and Victoria’s economy.”
“The safety of our workforce and the community is our priority – we are taking strict precautions to ensure our critical transport infrastructure projects can safely continue under coronavirus restrictions.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020