V/Line undertook essential track and signal maintenance between Ararat and Deer Park last week.
The nine-day work blitz took place from December 8-16 so construction can continue on the half-a-billion-dollar Ballarat line upgrade this month.
Coaches replaced trains between Ballarat, Wendouree and Southern Cross station, while Maryborough trains continued to run to and from Ballarat.
V/Line chief executive James Pinder said combining the V/Line works with Ballarat line upgrade construction would reduce the disruption for passengers.
“Our staff and contractors will use this time to complete maintenance work on parts of the Ballarat and Ararat lines, to ensure the track, signals and other infrastructure are in good shape for summer,” he said.
“Staff will rappel down the 130-year-old Melton Weir viaduct and use underwater technology to inspect footings, as part of routine maintenance of our major bridges on the corridor.”
“Track crews will replace rail near Parwan, as well as removing mud holes and vegetation over-hanging the rail corridor between Bacchus Marsh and Ballarat.”
The Murray Basin Rail project stage two works are continuing at Ararat Junction to allow freight trains to move more efficiently between the Maryborough to Ararat line and the interstate network.
Joanna Catalano
