More than $6 million in crucial track, signalling and level crossing improvement works on the Geelong and Warrnambool will be carried out over Easter.
Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney said more than 200 V/Line staff and construction crews will work throughout the long weekend to improve the safety and reliability of services for passengers in Geelong and South Western Victoria.
The works include replacing more than 200 metres of track along both platforms at Geelong Station with new concrete sleepers, rail, ballast and drainage.
More than 1,600 new concrete sleepers will also be installed between Marshall and Waurn Ponds.
Boom gates will be installed at Flaxmill Road level crossing between Colac and Waurn Ponds, and the Barwon Heads Road level crossing between South Geelong and Marshall will be resurfaced.
Around $2 million in signalling work will be carried out between Lara and Geelong, sleepers will be replaced on eight bridges between Camperdown and Warrnambool, and a pedestrian path will be built at West Road level crossing in Wyndham Vale.
To enable these works to be carried out safely, trains services between Southern Cross and Geelong/Marshall/Waurn Ponds and Warrnambool will be replaced by coaches on Friday, Saturday and Sunday over Easter.
Normal train services will operate between Southern Cross and Tarneit and Wyndham Vale.
A desire for better infrastructure on the Geelong line came through strongly in Regional Network Development Plan (RNDP) workshops held across the Barwon South West region last year.
The RNDP – Victoria’s first ever long term strategy for better public transport in regional Victoria – will be released in the coming months.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP:
“This $6 million in crucial works will improve the safety and reliability of Geelong
and Warrnambool services.”
“More than 200 V/Line staff and construction crews will work round the clock over the
Easter long weekend to upgrade tracks, signalling and level crossings.”
“Not as many people catch the train over Easter, so it’s a perfect time to get this work done. Coaches will replace trains to ensure people can still get where they need to go.”
“The Andrews Labor Government delivered 200 extra services to Geelong last year, and is delivering the critical maintenance works needed to keep these services safe and reliable.”