Craigieburn trains replaced by buses due to Buckley St blitz

COMMUTERS on the Craigieburn line urged to plan ahead of major disruptions to train services from Thursday. Here’s what you need to know.

Buses will replace trains on the Craigieburn line from Thursday. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

WORKS to remove the Buckley St crossing at Essendon station will shut down most of the Craigieburn line from this Thursday.

Buses will replace trains on sections of the Craigieburn line from 8.30pm Friday, August 24 until the last train on Sunday, September 9.

Trains will run to a revised timetable and journey times may be extended by up to 40 minutes on weekdays and 45 minutes on weekends.

BUCKLEY ST ESSENDON RAILWAY STATION’S LEVEL CROSSING TO BE GONE WITHIN THREE MONTHS

ESSENDON TRADERS FEEL HEAT AS LEVEL CROSSING WORKS FORCE CUSTOMERS ELSEWHERE

BUSES REPLACE TRAINS DURING CROSSING WORKS

Passengers cannot take bikes, surfboards, pets except assistance dogs, on a tram or a bus.

Last month, a construction blitz in Essendon was announced, promising one of Melbourne’s worst level crossings would finally be removed by October.

The plan for the Buckley St level crossing in Essendon continues to be a contested issue in the community. Picture: Ellen Smith

But the blitz means Buckley St will be closed near the level crossing for almost three months and some local roads will be closed intermittently.

Until 6am on Sunday, September 30 there will be no access to Buckley St between Mt Alexander Rd and Daisy St, and all adjoining intersections except Court St will be closed.

When possible, intersections at Lorraine St, Violet St and McPhail St will be open for local access only.

Up to 300 workers will work around the clock to complete work on the road underpass, excavating 40,000 tonnes of soil.