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Winter construction blitz to shut down roads, rail lines across Melbourne

Melburnians are in for a winter of commuter hell, with a massive construction blitz to force the closure of roads across the city as workers begin returning to the office. Two train lines will also be shut down for more than two months.

Citywide road and rail disruptions

A massive construction blitz will create headaches for commuters in winter as roads are closed and the Upfield and Frankston railway lines are shut down for more than two months.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan on Tuesday announced the Andrews Government would push on with its maintenance and building program.

It comes after it was revealed northbound cars on St Kilda Rd would no longer be able to turn left on to Flinders St as Metro Tunnel works ramped up.

Other changes for motorists include a series disruptions around Greensborough and Bulleen roads as preparations begin for work on the North East Link in 2021.

In June, the Hume Freeway will be closed at Epping over the space of a long weekend to build a new interchange while a similar closure will hit Princes Freeway later in the month.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan. Picture: Nicole Cleary
Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Ms Allan said the government had decided it was critical to keep these projects moving ahead.

“This is a huge program of works,” she said.

“There’s no doubt this going to be a period of disruption

“Its important to continue the agenda we’ve already to set to keep delivering on these big infrastructure projects.

“But also more than ever right now at this point in time to do it in a way that continues to support jobs.”

Commuters on the Upfield line will be in for months of pain as the line is closed north of Anstey between July 28 and November 15.

Thousands of passengers will be ferried on replacement buses over this time as 2km of elevated rail line are built.

Senior safety officer Michelle Adams checks distancing with workers Simon Bray and Mick Lonie at a level crossing construction site in Cheltenham. Picture: Jake Nowakowski
Senior safety officer Michelle Adams checks distancing with workers Simon Bray and Mick Lonie at a level crossing construction site in Cheltenham. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

New track work at Anstey will allow trains to turn around at the station, sparing half the line’s commuters from disruptions.

In the southeast, level crossing works on the Frankston Line will also require buses to replace trains between Moorabbin and Mordialloc and Stony Point from May 23 to July 27.

The Department of Transport’s head of transport services Jeroen Weimar said specialised bus routes would provide for commuters impacted by the shutdowns.

“The work on the Upfield Line is one of the largest and most complex pieces of work we’ve done,” he said.

“We obviously recognise the impact this will have on people’s journey patterns and we apologise in advance for any inconvenience.”

kieran.rooney@news.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/winter-construction-blitz-to-shut-down-roads-rail-lines-across-melbourne/news-story/e8f6ac9bd04561ce912b6a94e58156f6