A construction blitz at two level crossings in St Albans, as well as major improvements along the Bendigo, Swan Hill and Echuca lines, will take place during an extended rail closure this October and November.
Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan visited Bendigo station today to outline details of the major works on the Sunbury/Bendigo line, which will see around 700 level crossing construction workers working around the clock during a month of road and rail closures.
These works will see the Sunbury line close between Sunbury and Sunshine, and the Bendigo line fully closed from 4 - 30 October.
The level crossings at Main Rd and Furlong Rd in St Albans are two of the most dangerous and congested in Melbourne, and work has been undertaken throughout the year to remove these level crossings and rebuild the Ginifer and St Albans Stations.
The Sunbury line will be shut between Sunbury and Sunshine while the existing station buildings are demolished and the new Ginifer and St Albans stations are built. Redundant signals, tracks and overhead wiring will also be removed and new rail equipment installed during the construction blitz.
Furlong Road will be closed at the level crossing from 12-27 October. Road works will continue during November, and Main Road is expected to be closed at the rail line from 4-28 November.
To coincide with these works and minimise future disruption for passengers, V/Line will undertake works to improve the safety and reliability of services on the Bendigo, Swan Hill and Echuca lines.
The $46 million investment will see V/Line contractors work around the clock for four weeks to replace thousands of sleepers, tonnes of ballast and renew rail bridges along a 380-kilometre section of track.
For V/Line passengers travelling on the Bendigo, Swan Hill and Echuca lines, trains will be replaced by coaches for the entire journey to ensure people can get where they need to go.
For passengers on the Sunbury line, a bus replacement service will run between Sunbury and Sunshine stations.
Full details, including information about alternative transport during the works, will be available at and .
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“Soon these two dangerous level crossings in St Albans will become history, two new stations will be built and V/Line passengers will benefit from safer, more reliable services.”
“We know these works will be frustrating for passengers, but the end result will be worth it. We’d like to thank residents, traders and passengers for their patience during these works.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020