The Andrews Government is preparing drivers and public transport customers for a busy summer stretch, with plans for a “construction blitz” in January as part of the Metro Tunnel project.
Buses and V/Line coaches will replace trains between Flinders Street and Westall stations on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines, and between Flinders Street and Moorabbin on the Frankston line, between January 2 and 13, 2019.
Buses will also replace trains for part of the journey between Warrigal Road and Camberwell Road during this timeframe.
Overnight and weekend works are also planned on the Belgrave/Lilydale, Glen Waverley, Alamein, Sandringham, Sunbury, Werribee and Williamstown lines.
From January 12 to 27, buses will replace trains on Bendigo, Swan Hill and Echuca services for maintenance and essential works between Sunbury and Swan Hill.
State transport and infrastructure minister Jacinta Allan said passengers travelling to and from the city on affected lines during these summer works should allow an extra 45 to 75 minutes for their journey.
Allan said further power and signalling upgrades will take place on more than 80 kilometres of track in 2019.
“We’re not wasting a day building the Metro Tunnel, upgrading track and signalling, and delivering vital maintenance to get Victorians home safer and sooner,” she said.
“We ask drivers and passengers to plan ahead while we build the road and rail upgrades Victoria needs.”