TWO weeks of essential maintenance and renewal works on the Bendigo and Echuca rail lines are set to begin in the July school holidays.
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From Sunday, June 27, crews will work to complete improvements as part of V/Line's annual program of major improvement works.
Coaches will replace all Bendigo and Echuca trains for the entire journey from June 27 to July 11 to allow the works to be completed, with train services resuming in time for students to return to school.
"Our annual program is crucial to providing passengers a safe and comfortable journey and reducing the risk of delays caused by infrastructure faults," Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll said.
"We're using the opportunity to see works along the entire line - to help increase reliability and punctuality along the line."
Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan said making sure passengers had the best services was a priority.
"Public transport connects our community - it's great to see major works happening along the line, to deliver more reliable services," she said.
Between the Bendigo and Sunbury lines, work will focus on track infrastructure, including upgrades through the Elphinstone tunnel and a renewal of the track that connects two lines near Bendigo Railway Station.
In the Macedon forest, crews will replace parts of the track to reduce the risk of the rail cracking when exposed to rapid changes in temperature.
On the Echuca line, crews will replace or upgrade several bridges and culverts. Signalling staff will perform minor upgrades to the level crossing system at the Murray Valley Highway, Echuca, to better co-ordinate traffic lights in the area.
General track, signal, vegetation and structure maintenance will also take place along the line, while V/Line's program of graffiti and waste removal will continue.
Crews will also continue work on Bendigo's new bio-wash and train monitoring facilities while coaches replace trains.
Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said the works would help keep trains running on time in the future.
"We've worked hard to co-ordinate a number of different work programs so we could complete as many upgrades in the area as possible while minimising the disruption to services," she said.
Once services return, a timetable change will see a morning train from Eaglehawk to Southern Cross make a stop at Sunbury. This aims to provide a more convenient option for Macedon Ranges students to get to schools in the area.
A temporary coach replacement timetable will be available on the V/Line website closer to the start of works.
The website also has more information on the timetable change coming into place after the program is completed.
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