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The $10 million works along the Bendigo-Echuca train line is to keep it safe and reliable - not about speed or service improvements, says the state government.
The works, to be completed by the end of next month, involve replacing timber sleepers with 34,000 concrete ones, improving three level crossings and adding more ballast to the tracks.
There are 30 level crossings along the track that needed to be upgraded following a recommendation after a 2006 crash along the Trawalla line in which two people died and dozens were injured at a level crossing. The next level crossings on the Echuca-Bendigo line set for maintenance in coming weeks are at Bagshot, Goornong and Echuca.
“These $10 million maintenance works will keep the Bendigo to Echuca line safe and reliable,” Minister for Transport Jacinta Allan said. “The V/Line crews will be working hard over the next few months, replacing a thousand sleepers a day and renewing three level crossings.”
Ms Allan said the works coincided with community consultation on Victoria’s first-ever short, medium and long-term plan for regional public transport.
The Regional Network Development Plan (RNDP) will move Victoria away from ad hoc service improvements to a more coordinated regional public transport network, she said. The aim was for train and bus services to work together to get people where they need to go quicker and safer.
Public Transport Users Association spokesperson Paul Westcott said it was vital level crossings offered train drivers, passengers and road users proper protection.
“Dollars need to be put into infrastructure to then improve services,” Mr Westcott said. “Services along the Echuca-Bendigo line are poor and until the V/Locity trains can travel at their top speed along that track consumers will be left without an adequate service.”
RNDP will also consider infrastructure upgrades, network extensions and rolling stock requirements of the rail line between Bendigo and Echuca. The RNDP process would also consider the need for boom gates and flashing lights at level crossings.
RNDP sessions are underway in Gippsland, with consultation across the Loddon-Mallee region to start next month.