- Minister for Transport Infrastructure
Power, signalling and track upgrades, and ongoing major work the Metro Tunnel and West Gate Tunnel projects will cause major disruptions to Melbourne’s road and rail network, and regional train services in spring.
Major works on the Andrews Labor Government’s record pipeline of major transport infrastructure projects will be carried out during the quieter school holiday period in late September and early October.
The works have been carefully scheduled to reduce impacts on passengers. Importantly, the AFL Grand Final and traditional Grand Final Parade will not be impacted, with trains running to get fans to and from these events.
Buses will replace trains on the Sunbury Line between Sunday 29 September and Friday 11 October, as construction continues on the Metro Tunnel’s western entrance in Kensington.
This work will also impact the Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Warrnambool, Ararat, Maryborough, Swan Hill and Echuca lines from Sunday 29 September to Friday 4 October, with passengers on coaches for part of their journey.
V/Line maintenance work will also see coaches replacing trains on the Ballarat, Geelong, Warrnambool, Ararat and Maryborough lines from Saturday 19 to Thursday 24 October.
Work will also begin to install new cabling and track, upgrade signalling, build an additional platform at West Footscray Station, and extend existing platforms at stations between Footscray and Sunshine to allow bigger trains to run through the Metro Tunnel.
Metro Tunnel works will also see buses replace trains on sections of the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Gippsland lines beyond Caulfield from Saturday 21 to Wednesday 25 September. In addition, Flinders Street trams will not run between Elizabeth Street and Russell Street from Wednesday 2 to Monday 7 October.
Tram tracks along St Kilda Road will also be reconfigured as part of works on Anzac Station, with trams replaced by buses between the Shrine of Remembrance and Commercial Road tram stops from Monday 14 to Sunday 27 October.
There will also be a series of overnight closures of the West Gate Freeway between August and October to relocate powerlines and other works for the West Gate Tunnel.
Passengers and motorists should leave extra travel time and plan ahead by visiting bigbuild.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
“We apologise for the disruptions but we can’t deliver the biggest upgrade our train network has ever seen without them.”
“These works pave the way for more services, bigger trains and less congestion on our busiest roads.”
As noted by Minister for Public Transport Melissa Horne
“We’re delivering the work our network needs – from the biggest projects to the vital maintenance that keeps our trains and trams safe, reliable and on time.”
