From Friday, October 31 until Sunday, December 14, coaches will replace trains on the Shepparton Line for all or part of the journey.
The construction blitz is set to deliver nine V/Line return services between Shepparton and Melbourne each day.
Upgrades to the line are part of the state government’s Victoria’s Big Build Regional Rail Revival.
The blitz will primarily involve signalling upgrades between Seymour and Shepparton to allow more frequent return services, as well as driver training, testing of new infrastructure, and commissioning work to bring the new system into operation.
As a result of the shutdown, however, Hanson quarry in Kilmore, run by Heidelberg Materials Australia, has confirmed it will need to replace about 58 cancelled trains with the equivalent of 40 trucks each day.
State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said the extended closure would strain local commuters and roads.
“When one business alone is forced to put 1700 trucks on the road just to keep operating, you can only imagine the flow-on impact across the whole network,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Every extra truck means more potholes, shorter road life, higher council repair bills and greater safety risks for locals.
“This is not just inconvenient, it is dangerous and costly.”
A Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said the upgrades would improve the commute to Melbourne for regional Victorians.
“We acknowledge planned works can be disruptive for freight operators and passengers, and we thank them for their patience and understanding as we complete the final stage of the upgrade,” they said.
“Freight operators were notified of these upgrades in April, July and August, and we will continue to work with them to manage the impact of these critical upgrades.
“The Shepparton Line Upgrade will boost the number of return services that can travel between Melbourne and Shepparton — helping more Victorian families get where they are going sooner.”
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