The traffic lights outside Shepparton Art Museum won’t be turned on until stage three of the Shepparton rail line upgrade is completed in late 2023.
More than 15 months after being installed, the lights have still not been turned on because wiring them into the signalling system would cause “significant delays” to works on the rail line.
Roadworks started in February 2021, and the lights are at the intersections of the Goulburn Valley Hwy and Fitzjohn, Hassett and McIntosh streets, as well as the train line.
The project is being jointly delivered by Greater Shepparton City Council, V/Line and the Victorian Department of Transport.
A council spokesperson said while the infrastructure upgrade had been completed, the signalling system that co-ordinated the traffic lights and the level crossing boom gates would not be completed until stage three of the line upgrade.
“Council will continue to advocate to the responsible authorities to ensure the works are completed as soon as practically possible and, in the interim, work with Regional Roads Victoria to advocate to ensure ongoing safety around the intersection,” the spokesperson said.
Rail Projects Victoria is amending the signalling systems as part of the Shepparton line upgrade and to introduce further changes to accommodate these new traffic lights would create significant delays for the project.
Installing new traffic lights near any rail level crossing requires upgrades to train signalling systems to ensure the lights are safely co-ordinated with the activation of the level crossing.
A Department of Transport spokesperson said it was continuing to work with council in completing the upgrade.
“The integration with the nearby rail crossing and traffic signals is a complex process and requires co-ordination between rail authorities, the Department of Transport and council,” they said.
Stage two of the rail upgrade was designed to give more reliable service and faster journeys from Shepparton to Melbourne.
Stage two is on track for completion by the end of the year, with stage three targeted for completion in late 2023.