Regional and metropolitan rail lines in Victoria will face intermittent shutdowns over a three-week stretch at the start of April, to facilitate Metro Tunnel, level crossing and other construction work.
Dubbed the ‘autumn construction blitz’ by the Andrews Government, a range of works between April 1 and April 23 will see rolling shutdowns on a number of city and regional lines.
For Metro Trains Melbourne services, the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines, the Frankston line, the Sandringham line, the Glen Waverley line, and the Mernda line will all be shut down for stretches throughout the period.
For regional operator V/Line, services will be limited or shut down on the Gippsland, Geelong and Warrnambool lines.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the inconvenience would be worth it in the long run for commuters.
“Whether it’s removing level crossings, getting on with the Metro Tunnel or upgrading regional rail lines – we thank passengers for their patience as we get on with these essential works,” he said.
He told the ABC: “It can’t be avoided … if we don’t build these projects, we’ll have nothing but disruption and chaos into the future.”
During the shutdowns, crews will start work on the portal for the South Yarra end of the Metro Tunnel.
On the Warrnambool line, $4.5 million of track, signalling and station upgrades will be completed between Waurn Ponds and Warrnambool.
On the Gippsland line, power, signalling and station upgrades will be undertaken to prepare the line for High Capacity Metro Trains.
On the Geelong line, crews will upgrade a bridge at Little River, install high-voltage signaling at Corio and replace a large section of track at North Geelong.
And prior to the major April shutdown stretch, the Ballarat line will be shut down from Friday, March 22 to Sunday, March 31, so a team of roughly 200 workers can continue on the Maddingley stabling facility, station upgrades at Ballan, Bacchus Marsh and Rockbank, the new Cobblebank station, and the Millbrook passing loop.