Inland Rail track possession prepares sites for major construction in Victoria
Inland Rail will use the upcoming 60-hour closure of the Albury, Shepparton and Seymour lines to carry out important construction activity and prepare sites on the Beveridge to Albury section of the project for major works later in the year.
From 7am Saturday 22 March to 7pm Monday 24 March, Inland Rail and its construction partners will complete a large program of works that can only be undertaken safely when rail services are suspended.
Inland Rail will perform construction activities at multiple Victorian sites, including the removal of the Docker Street pedestrian bridge near Wangaratta station, road safety improvement works at the Birkett Street level crossing in Euroa, and groundworks at Benalla, Euroa, Tallarook, Seymour, Broadford and Wandong.
Inland Rail track possession works will also include:
Benalla
- relocation of Benalla railway station power supply and removal of existing power poles from the western side
- removal of the Benalla signal box
- installation of delineation fencing to provide a safe working space for future rail works
Euroa
- widening sections of Birkett Street to accommodate the detour route when the Anderson Street bridge is closed
- road safety improvements at the Birkett Street level crossing including removal and reinstatement of a wider asphalt profile
- Birkett Street level crossing rail upgrades including:
- replacement of existing ballast, sleepers and rail
- signalling works and relocation of boom gates
- installation of delineation fencing to provide a safe working space for future rail works
Hume Freeway (Tallarook and Seymour)
- approved removal of trees and vegetation
- geotechnical investigations (Tallarook)
- installation of structure monitoring sensors
- installation of delineation fencing to provide a safe working space for future rail works
Broadford
- approved removal of trees and vegetation, which will reduce bridges to a single lane
- survey works
- utility bore works (Hamilton Street)
- removal of redundant signal within the rail corridor (Hamilton Street)
- installation of barriers (Short Street)
- establishment of an access track north of the Short Street bridge
Wandong
- approved removal of trees and vegetation
- survey works
- installation of delineation fencing to provide a safe working space for future rail works
Coaches will replace trains during the track possession works period and passengers are advised to check the V/Line website for more information.
Ed Walker, Inland Rail Delivery Director Beveridge to Albury said:
“Track possessions are critically important for the completion of the Inland Rail project. They allow our team to access the rail corridor safely and complete essential work without trains operating.
“A lot of planning takes place, so we can complete a large volume of work in a short period and keep the disruption of the rail line to a minimum.
“The possession works are focused on finishing off the remaining work on our Tranche 1 sites at Wangaratta and Seymour-Avenel Road and preparing Tranche 2 sites for major construction later this year.
“We apologise for the disruptions and thank local communities for their patience and understanding as we carry out the work.”
Image caption: Docker Street footbridge to the north of Wangaratta station will be removed following the opening of the pedestrian underpass on Friday.
