News | 06 December

VIC GOV Media Release – Tuesday 6th December 2022

Victoria’s Big Build will heat up over summer, with major works on four regional train lines, the West Gate Bridge and the City Loop as crews continue to transform the state’s road and rail network.

Annual maintenance works will close four outbound lanes on the West Gate Bridge between Boxing Day and Wednesday, 4 January 2023. With only one outbound lane open on the bridge, drivers are advised to detour early.

Significant delays of more than 90 minutes are expected across Melbourne including on the West Gate Freeway between the city and the West Gate Bridge, as well as the Domain Tunnel, Monash Freeway and throughout the CBD.

From 9pm on Monday, 2 January 2023 through to the last service on Sunday, 15 January 2023, crews will work around-the-clock in the City Loop to upgrade smoke detection, extraction and sprinkler systems at Flagstaff, Melbourne Central and Parliament stations. This work is being undertaken while the network has the lowest expected patronage.

Flagstaff, Melbourne Central and Parliament stations will be closed, and no trains will run through the City Loop throughout the works. Southern Cross and Flinders Street stations will remain open, with trains running to and from these stations. 

The works on the City Loop will help better manage potential emergency situations in the underground rail system, including allowing crews to respond quicker to intruders – further minimising and reducing delays to the network.

Coaches will replace trains on the Gippsland Line between Southern Cross and Bairnsdale from Wednesday, 4 January 2023 to Tuesday, 31 January 2023 – ensuring it’s ready for when the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025. Gippsland Line Upgrade works will continue between Pakenham and Traralgon during this time.

Work is powering ahead on train detection upgrades at level crossings in Victoria’s north to improve safety for road and rail users, with coaches replacing trains between Bendigo and Swan Hill from Wednesday, 15 February 2023 to Monday, 20 February 2023.

While Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade works take place, coaches will replace trains from Southern Cross to Bendigo, Echuca and Swan Hill from Tuesday, 21 February 2023 to Sunday, 5 March 2023.

Works on the Bendigo and Gippsland Lines have been coordinated with the V/Line Annual Works Program to get these important upgrades done while minimising disruption to passengers. 

On the Geelong Line, work continues on upgrades to South Geelong and Marshall stations and the level crossing removal at Surf Coast Highway and Fyans Street, as part of the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication. Coaches will replace trains between Geelong and Warrnambool from 10- 11 December 2022, 14- 15 January 2023 and 18 to 26 February 2023.

Bigger, better High Capacity Metro Trains on the Sunbury Line will be a step closer with the commissioning of substations at Footscray. Buses will replace Sunbury Line trains between varying stations throughout February, and passengers are encouraged to plan ahead.

Whether driving, using public transport or cycling, Victorians are asked to allow extra time and plan their journey by checking the PTV or VicTraffic apps before they travel.

For more information about planned disruptions over coming months visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Jacinta Allan

“It’s our biggest summer of Victoria’s Big Build with more than 19,000 jobs on the ground pushing to get vital road and rail upgrades done in the coming months.”

“We’re upgrading every regional passenger line and delivering major projects including the Metro Tunnel – making it quicker and easier to get where you need to go, no matter where you live.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll “Whether you’re travelling by rail or road, if you’re heading into Melbourne, or just passing through, over the next few months it’s essential you plan ahead to avoid delays.”

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