By Mitchell Clarke
The month of August will see disruptions for train commuters with planned maintenance works set to be undertaken along the Gippsland rail corridor.
On Tuesday 6 August until Thursday 15 August, road surfaces at level crossings in Garfield, Drouin and Stratford will be refurbished.
It’s hoped the works at McIntyre Road, off Railway Avenue in Garfield, Gardner and Holman Road in Drouin and Hobson Street in Stratford will improve access for vehicles and prevent future disruptions.
During the operation, crews will excavate the level crossings to replace old sleepers and rails, before installing new track and re-asphalting the road.
It’s claimed that V/Line services won’t be affected, with trains re-routed on to the adjacent line or works completed in between trains.
Shortly after, from Friday 16 August until Sunday 18 August, Metro is set to undertake a maintenance blitz on the corridor between Caulfield and Dandenong.
As a result, all Traralgon services will be replaced with coaches between Melbourne and Pakenham from 9pm on the Friday until the last service on the Sunday. Bairnsdale services will be replaced by coaches for all or part of the journey.
The works aren’t done with yet, with additional maintenance between Dandenong and Berwick from Monday 19 August and Wednesday 21 August.
Those maintenance works will include sleeper, ballast and rail renewal.
Minister for Public Transport Melissa Horne said the works have been scheduled to coincide with periods of less traffic.
“As the Gippsland corridor becomes busier, it is even more important to do essential maintenance works so regional and metropolitan trains can continue to run safely and reliably,” Ms Horne said.
“This maintenance is being completed when the network is less busy to minimise the disruption to passengers and we thank passengers for their patience while this vital work is completed.”
Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said the works are vital to help keep trains running and she thanks Gippsland passengers for their patience.
“Resurfacing level crossings across the Gippsland line will boost reliability for passengers and make crossings safer for drivers,” she said.
