Train and road commuters warned ahead of Melbourne’s summer construction blitz
Visitors flocking to Melbourne for the Australian Open will be greeted with a transport system in disarray, as the city faces more disruptions across the road and rail network during summer.
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Fans heading to the Australian Open will be stuck on replacement buses as part of a massive summer shutdown and construction blitz.
Commuter and motorists have also been warned to plan ahead during the summer months as delays and disruptions hit the entire network.
Buses will be brought in to ferry fans to matches during the January event, as a result of Metro Tunnel works shutting down the Cranbourne/Pakenham, Sandringham and Frankston lines between January 2 and 30.
Regional commuters will also be impacted during the same period with coaches replacing trains on the Gippsland line between Bairnsdale/Traralgon and Southern Cross.
Before the big rail shutdown in the New Year several train lines will be impacted as early as December with works continuing at Reservoir, Toorak Rd, Carrum, Cheltenham, Mentone, Lyndhurst and Pakenham.
Coaches will replace trains on some sections of the Ballarat line as part of an upgrade between December 7 and 13.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the works will inconvenience people, but the construction blitz would ultimately improve conditions for commuters.
“Over summer, construction crews will be getting on some of the biggest transport projects in Victoria’s history,” he said.
“Without these vital upgrades, our city and state would grind to a halt.”
“We know it will be disruptive but with less people on our roads and rail, it’s the right time to get this work done.”
Drivers will not escape the pain with ramps over the West Gate Freeway top be closed and rebuilt to make way for widening of the West Gate Freeway from eight to 12 lanes, during January and February.
Queen St Bridge Works will see several shutdown on the river crossing.
The 96 tram route will also be impact From January 2 to 19 as part of a long-awaited overhaul.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said the government is working closely with Tennis Australia to get fans to and from the tennis.
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“We thank Victorians for their patience and encourage them to plan ahead as we get on with our massive pipeline of road and rail projects.”
Opposition spokesman David Davis hit out at the program of works saying the government spent more time advertising disruptions than managing them.