Trains travelling on Victoria’s regional Echuca Line will be able to travel as fast as 130 kilometres-per-hour in some sections, up from their current 80 km/h speed limit, before the year’s end.
The Victorian Government is investing on track upgrades on the section between Epsom and the new Goornong Station, with major works planned in September and October.
John Holland has been appointed to deliver the track upgrades, which include replacing more than 20,000 sleepers, new ballast, drainage improvements, rail bridge upgrades, mud-hole removal and level crossing modifications to boost safety.
Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson said the track upgrades were part of the Regional Rail Revival project.
“The $176.2 million Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade is part of a broader investment in Regional Rail Revival that is upgrading every regional passenger rail line in the state and creating 3,000 jobs,” Senator Henderson said.
“Our commitment to Regional Rail Revival is part of our record $110 billion infrastructure investment pipeline, which is helping secure our economic recovery and keeping Australians safe and secure.”
The Victorian Government is also funding three new stations at Huntly, Raywood and Goornong, with Symal Infrastructure contracted to deliver the new stations.
The new Goornong station, located between the Midland Highway and the rail line, is targeted for completion by the end of the year. The Huntly station will follow in mid-2022 and Raywood Station on the Swan Hill Line at the end of 2022.
“The people in these communities have told us how important these new stations are to them and the future of their towns, so it’s great to see construction getting underway,” Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said.
“By doing these station works alongside these vital track upgrades, we’re reducing the need for future disruptions on the line and making life easier for passengers as we deliver these massive benefits.”
Coaches will replace Echuca Line trains between Bendigo and Echuca from 1 September until 31 October. Trains will still run between Bendigo and Epsom for local passengers.
Development of the new electronic train order (ETO) system being delivered by V/Line as part of the Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade is also progressing, which will allow additional weekday return services to both Eaglehawk and Epsom, and triple the number of weekday services to and from Echuca after completion in late 2022.
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