Inland Rail surges ahead with March construction blitz
The Inland Rail project will surge forward in March with the completion of a massive schedule of construction work along the North-East rail line.
March 4, 2024
Cutting the old ‘Dive’ station platform at Wangaratta
Work will be carried out day and night across Inland Rail sites at Wangaratta, Glenrowan, Seymour-Avenel Road at Seymour, Kilmore East, Tallarook and Wallan from Thursday 7 to Wednesday 13 March. The details and duration of the work schedule at each site varies.
Together with construction partner, McConnell Dowell, the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) Inland Rail will demolish and remove two bridges, lower tracks, decommission old rail lines, install new tracks, construct a new station platform, upgrade rail signalling, and conduct track slewing.
The program of works includes:
Wangaratta
- Remove the remaining sections of the old Green Street bridge
- Remove 27,000 cubic metres of soil and lower 900 metres of track
- Install 100 metres of track drainage
- Decommission and commence backfill of the ‘dive’ railway line
- Build 880 metres of the new west track, including construction ballast, sleepers and rail
Glenrowan
- Demolish and remove the old Beaconsfield Parade bridge, including bridge decks, piers and abutment walls
- Install track drainage
Seymour-Avenel Road bridge, Seymour
- Demolish and remove the old Seymour-Avenel Road bridge, including bridge decks, central pier and eastern abutment
Wallan
- Slewing (shifting) the track at Wallan Railway Station, including the cutting and removal of rail, excavation and replacement ballast and rail.
Kilmore East/Tallarook
- Installation and commissioning of signal gantries
V/Line services will be disrupted and/or cancelled over the works period and passengers are advised to check the V/Line website for more information.
Essential rail maintenance and improvement work will also be carried out by ARTC between Albion in Melbourne’s west and Moss Vale in southern New South Wales.
The track possession will see essential rail maintenance and improvements including track tamping, structure repairs, turnout maintenance and mudhole removal.
ARTC will also conduct routine track maintenance activities along the length of the line including signalling works, and vegetation control.
Ed Walker, ARTC Victoria and South Australian General Manager Projects said:
“This is the largest scope of works ever conducted during a track possession.
“From Seymour to Barnawartha we will have teams of workers pushing ahead with the Inland Rail project.
“Wangaratta will be especially busy with work extending beyond the usual 60-hour track possession to complete the removal of the Green St bridge, backfill the ‘dive’, lower tracks, build a new platform and install the new west track.
“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.”
Learn more about the Beveridge to Albury section
Image caption: Cutting the old ‘Dive’ station platform at Wangaratta. (Source: Inland Rail)
