Benalla train passengers are being warned to expect delays, with coaches replacing trains for three days later this month.
The Albury railway line will close for 60 hours for essential Inland Rail construction work from September 14 to 16.
Together with construction partners McConnell Dowell and John Holland, Inland Rail will conduct an extensive program of rail and construction work from Wallan to Wangaratta.
The Inland Rail track possession works include:
- Lifting in place the Green St bridge superstructure, Wangaratta
- Site investigations and survey work, Benalla
- Bridge deck replacements and widening works to enable tracks to be slewed horizontally to cater for double stack freight trains, Seymour-Mangalore
- Site investigations including bridge inspections and geotechnical testing at Broadford and the Hume Freeway sites at Tallarook and Seymour
- Slewing tracks horizontally to cater for double stacked trains at Wallan and Seymour
- Installation of new signal gantries at Kilmore East and Tallarook
The Australian Rail Track Corporation will also conduct essential track maintenance and improvement activities along the length of the line including rail replacement, track reconditioning works, and vegetation management.
Coaches will replace trains for the entire journey between Southern Cross and Albury during the works period and passengers are advised to check the V/Line website for more information. Trains on the Seymour and Shepparton lines will continue running during these works.
“Wangaratta will be the focus of the track possession with the new Green St bridge structure lifted into place and work continuing at the railway station,” Inland Rail’s Ed Walker said.
“Site investigations will also take place at sites due for construction next year, including Benalla, Broadford, and the Hume Freeway at Tallarook and Seymour.
“We apologise for the disruptions and thank local communities for their patience and understanding as we carry out the work on this major nation building project.”