WORK on the Huntley and Goornong train stations is set to begin in the coming months.
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Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan, Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum and Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson announced this alongside works that will take place from September until October.
Ms Allan said construction would also commence on the new state government-funded stations at Goornong and Huntly while trains are not running.
"The people in these communities have told us how important these new stations are to them and the future of their towns, so it's great to see construction getting underway," she said.
"By doing these station works alongside these vital track upgrades, we're reducing the need for future disruptions on the line and making life easier for passengers as we deliver these massive benefits."
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The new station at Goornong is targeted for completion by the end of the year, with Huntly to follow in mid-2022.
The upgrades will allow trains to travel at up to 130 km/h between Epsom and the new Goornong station, up from the 80 km/h they currently travel.
Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum said the upgrades will enable trains to travel faster between the major regional centres of Bendigo and Echuca.
"These upgrades are all about bringing communities between closer together and strengthening the regional economy," he said.
"John Holland has been appointed to deliver the track upgrades, which include replacing more than 20,000 sleepers, new ballast, drainage improvements, rail bridge upgrades, mud-hole removal and level crossing modifications to boost safety."
Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson said the federal government had made a significant contribution to upgrading regional train travel right across Victoria through the Regional Rail Revival.
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"The $176.2 million Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade is part of a broader investment in Regional Rail Revival that is upgrading every regional passenger rail line in the state and creating 3,000 jobs," she said.
Coaches will replace Echuca Line trains between Bendigo and Echuca from September 1 until October 31.
Trains will still run between Bendigo and Epsom for local passengers.
Deliveries of new ballast and concrete sleepers have commenced along the line ahead of track works starting on September 1.
Critical works including track alignment and platform construction will take place at the new Goornong and Huntly stations.
Development of the new electronic train order (ETO) system being delivered by V/Line as part of the Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade is also progressing, which will allow additional weekday return services to both Eaglehawk and Epsom, and triple the number of weekday services to and from Echuca after completion in late 2022.
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