Services will be suspended for the Melbourne to Albury line on 30 October, allowing Inland Rail to complete essential construction work at the Barnawartha North, Wangaratta, Glenrowan and Seymour-Avenel Rd project sites.
Construction work is being undertaken at 12 sites across Victoria to enable double-stacked freight trains to pass safely, and ensure products can be delivered faster and more reliably throughout the country.
The Barnawartha North track lower under the Murray Valley Highway is complete and final excavation works for levee banks and drainage is scheduled.
Site establishment work will continue at Seymour-Avenel Rd ahead of major construction to replace the existing bridge commencing later in the year.
At Glenrowan construction of the new Beaconsfield Parade bridge will continue and in Wangaratta, work will focus on piling for the elevator platform shafts and underpass ramps and an upgrade of the railway tracks.
Coaches will replace trains for the entire journey between Southern Cross and Albury on Monday 30 October. Passengers can contact V/Line for service status updates and any alternate transport arrangements.
ARTC Victoria and South Australian General Manager Projects, Ed Walker, said, “The track work possessions allow our construction teams to complete a large volume of work in a short period of time without being interrupted by train services.
“The four Inland Rail sites are progressing well, particularly Barnawartha North, which is close to completion,” Mr Walker said.
“Glenrowan and Wangaratta are coming along well, and we’ve started early works at the Seymour-Avenel Road bridge site.
“We apologise for the inconvenience and thank local communities for their patience and understanding.”
Featured image: Rail construction. Image courtesy of Inland Rail.