The Federal and Victorian state governments are giving Goulburn Valley passengers smoother and more reliable journeys – completing major track upgrades between Shepparton and Seymour.
Track improvements in Nagambie and Wahring have been delivered as part of the $400 million Stage 3 Shepparton Line Upgrade project, to which the Australian Government has committed $320 million.
Crews have replaced more than 13 kilometres of ageing wooden track with 15,000 new concrete sleepers, while adding more than 35,000 tonnes of new ballast along the line.
Further improvements included rebuilding the track through four level crossings in Wahring, which followed previous upgrades made to a 26-kilometre section late last year.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King spoke about the upgrades.
“The Goulburn Valley is a fantastic place to live, work and study, and the Shepparton Line Upgrade is making it even better by improving rail transport in the region for passengers,” she said.
Wahring-Euroa, Bunganail, McDonalds and Grimwade roads have also reopened over Easter after being temporarily closed for resurfacing.
Signalling design work is continuing to allow more trains to run on the line when the project is complete.
The Shepparton Line Upgrade has already brought modern and accessible VLocity trains to Shepparton for the first time, upgraded stations at Mooroopna, Murchison East and Nagambie, and delivered extra services.
Stage 3 of the project has also extended the Murchison East passing loop, allowing 1,200-metre freight trains and two six-car VLocity trains to pass each other. It has also increased capacity at the new Shepparton stabling facility to house extra VLocity trains.
V/Line carried out important works while trains were not running, including replacing sleepers between Craigieburn and Seymour, upgrading signals at Wallan and updating a 20-kilometre section of freight line between Tocumwal and Strathmerton.
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