It takes serious people power and heavy machinery to keep construction on the Ballarat line upgrade moving.
During a four-day line closure last month, 250 people worked night and day shifts across four sites along the 75-kilometre stretch of line from Caroline Springs to Millbrook.
They operated 26 excavators, two high-rail trucks, three cranes, a drill rig, a 43.5-tonne tamping machine, light towers and a fleet of tipper trucks, scrubber trucks, vacuum trucks and water carts around the clock.
Stage one of the project, which is now under way, includes 18 kilometres of track duplication between Deer Park west and Melton.
Passing loops at Ballan and Millbrook will provide more options for trains to pass each other, allowing more frequent services and helping services recover faster from unexpected delays.
Rockbank station will be rebuilt, with Ballan and Bacchus Marsh stations receiving upgrades.
More carparking, additional platforms and landscaping will be added to all three stations, meaning better accessibility and improved security.
A new station at Toolern will cater to the growing population in the Melton area.
The line upgrade will allow for extra services during peak times and for trains every
40 minutes in off-peak periods.
Regional Rail Revival director Mark Havryluk said the project was on track for completion by the end of 2019.
“We made significant progress while the line was closed for four days and the effort behind this was impressive,” Mr Havryluk told
Star Weekly.
“Around 250 people worked around the clock over the four days to complete critical work such as piling, earthworks and installing safety fences.
“The installation of safety fencing as part of the Ballarat line upgrade means much of the construction can be completed while trains are running … this will significantly reduce the number of times the line will require closing, minimising disruption for passengers.
“A project of this size will require the train line to be closed from time to time.”
The Ballarat Line upgrade is being delivered by a consortium comprising Lendlease, Coleman Rail and SMEC in partnership with Rail Projects Victoria and V/Line.
