Work is now underway to deliver faster and more frequent journeys for Shepparton Line passengers after a construction blitz on the line.
Construction of the extended crossing loop at Murchison East being delivered as part of Stage 3 of the Shepparton Line Upgrade commenced in September when trains weren’t running on the line.
Crews worked around the clock – clocking up more than 17,000 work hours – to undertake earthworks, drainage and signalling works, and remove parts of the existing track.
More than 10,000 cubic metres of spoil was removed and 15,000 tonnes of locally-sourced quarry products used across the 9 day construction blitz.
The crossing loop extension will make services more reliable by enabling a 1200m freight train and 2 VLocity trains to pass each other.
Site investigations also took place along the line to further inform the design of the Stage 3 track and signalling upgrades.
Works also progressed for Stage 2 of the Shepparton Line Upgrade, which is delivering the infrastructure required to enable modern VLocity trains to travel on the line for the first time.
Crews completed underground trenching, boring and pipe installation works to install more than 14km of cabling route between Donnybrook and Seymour.
Stage 2 of the Shepparton Line Upgrade is targeted for completion in late 2022 and Stage 3 in late 2023.
Find out more about the Shepparton Line Upgrade.