The Gippsland rail corridor will undergo essential maintenance over eleven nights in August 2019 as part of the Victorian Government’s plan to boost rail reliability.
Road surfaces at level crossings in Garfield, Drouin and Stratford will also be refurbished between 6-15 August, improving access for vehicles and preventing future train service disruptions.
Crews will excavate the three level crossings to replace old sleepers and rails, before installing new track and re-asphalting the road.
Works will be completed without disrupting V/Line services, with trains rerouted on to the adjacent line or works completed in between trains.
The three level crossings to be upgraded are McIntyre Road, off Railway Avenue in Garfield, Gardner and Holman Road in Drouin, and Hobson Street in Stratford.
Metro Trains will also undertake a maintenance blitz on the Gippsland corridor from 16-18 August, completing essential track renewal between Caulfield and Dandenong.
Metro will also complete additional maintenance, including sleeper, ballast and rail renewal, at night between Dandenong and Berwick after 9pm between 19-21 August.
Victorian Minister for Public Transport, Melissa Horne, said, “As the Gippsland corridor becomes busier, it is even more important to do essential maintenance works so regional and metropolitan trains can continue to run safely and reliably.
“This maintenance is being completed when the network is less busy to minimise the disruption to passengers and we thank passengers for their patience while this vital work is completed.”
Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing, said, “Resurfacing level crossings across the Gippsland Line will boost reliability for passengers and make crossings safer for drivers.
“Planned maintenance works are vital to help keep our trains running and we want to thank Gippsland passengers for their patience.”