Disruptions to plague road and rail as infrastructure works ramp up

A wave of road and rail disruptions is set to plague Melbourne as commuters and footy fans return to the city in droves.

Rail replacement buses have become a common sight during Victoria’s Big Build. Picture: Tony Gough

Motorists hitting the roads at pre-pandemic levels face a wave of autumn travel disruptions due to the state’s infrastructure build.

Rail and tram passengers will be shuffled on to replacement buses due to level crossing removals and track upgrades.

Road traffic volumes have returned to 96 per cent of their pre-Covid levels as commuters shun public transport in favour of the car.

With the AFL season in full swing and tens of thousands of fans flocking to the MCG and Marvel Stadium, the Andrews Government says it will keep the travelling public “at the heart” of planning to reduce delays.

Works are ramping up on the North East Link. Picture: Alex Coppel

Several major projects have swung into high gear after coronavirus shutdowns last year, with the government saying they will keep people in work as the state recovers from the pandemic.

Transport bodies and construction giants are co-ordinating approaches over autumn to deal with demand as:

WORKS on the Monash Freeway upgrade ramp up with overnight and some daytime lane closures;

BETWEEN 90 and 100 per cent of pre-pandemic traffic volumes are expected on roads despite lower workplace attendances;

PUBLIC transport usage has risen slowly to 52 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, and;

A TOTAL of 165 projects are now ongoing around the state.

This month the $15.8bn North East Link, which will be built over the next six years, will ramp up with 1.8km of sewer lines shifted in Bulleen and North Balwyn.

The Monash upgrade is part of a project adding 36km of lanes, part funded by the federal government.

Overnight lane closures for asphalting between Warrigal Road and Springvale Road will be required throughout autumn, while day and night lane closures to pour concrete on newly installed beams at Jacksons Road, Police Road and Cardinia Creek are also scheduled.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said the team of experts managing the full suite of projects would ensure there was no commuter chaos.

“Regardless of the work being carried out, passengers and motorists are always at the heart of our careful planning to minimise delays,” she said.

“We’ve already removed 46 level crossings and we are on track to remove one dangerous and congested level crossing, on average, every four weeks.

“As we recover from the pandemic, the state’s $80bn transport infrastructure agenda will help to keep thousands of workers in jobs and build a better transport network for Victoria’s future”.

Metro Tunnel works are continuing. Picture: Sarah Matray/NCA NewsWire

Ms Allan said modelling ensured enough replacement buses and road detours were in place.

Line upgrades and work on the $13.7bn Metro Tunnel will disrupt travel on the Sunbury, Werribee, Williamstown, Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat lines.

More than $2bn is being spent on the Sunbury line to boost power for the Metro tunnel entrance near South Kensington station, as well as extending eight station platforms and upgrading stabling. Buses will replace trains between Flagstaff and Sunbury.

On the Bendigo line, Echuca and Swan Hill lines buses replace trains between Southern Cross and Gisborne, while on the Ballarat line replacement services will run between Southern Cross and Melton from May 14 to 16.

Buses replace trains on the Geelong Line between Southern Cross and Wyndham Vale over the same period.

Travel will also be disrupted around the Glenroy level crossing removal, with bus services in place between Flemington racecourse and Craigieburn.

The next stage of the Shepparton line upgrade will take place between April 6-17.

On the Mernda line, shutdowns on May 5-12 related to four level crossing removals will mean buses replace trains from Clifton Hill to Reservoir.