Victoria To Invest $25 Million Gippsland Rail System
The reliability of Gippsland trains will be boosted when up to 80,000 timber sleepers are replaced with concrete sleepers Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula announced today.
The resleepering program is part of a $25 million program of Gippsland works that began in March and has involved track renewals at six stations including Garfield, Tynong, Nar Nar Goon, Traralgon and Yarragon.
Eight level crossing surfaces have also been renewed with new concrete sleepers and road resurfacing works now mostly finished.
The next stage of works will involve replacing sleepers on both sections of track between Traralgon and Pakenham, making them predominantly concrete.
Mr Pakula said the investment in concrete sleepers would have long-term benefits with less maintenance required.
“This is the next stage in the Brumby Labor Government’s ongoing investment into public transport in Gippsland,” Mr Pakula said.
“In 2005 one track was upgraded to “Fast Rail” standards with concrete sleepers to allow peak trains to run at speeds of up to 160kmh. The signalling system was also upgraded to allow trains to run in both directions on both tracks.
“The remaining timber track sections will now have their timber sleepers upgraded to concrete sleepers at passing loops, stations and level crossings to improve train reliability.”
The Gippsland renewal program has followed significant investment also made to the Ballarat and Geelong Regional Fast Rail corridors, both of which have concrete sleepers running for most of their entire lengths on two separate tracks.
Mr Pakula said by investing in public transport, people were again choosing to leave the car at home and catch the train.
“Since the Brumby Labor Government upgraded the Gippsland line in 2005 patronage has more than doubled from 850,000 passenger trips in 2004-05 to 1.77 million in 2008-09,” he said.
“These works will again improve the line and with more trains coming, Gippsland residents can be confident their transport needs are being looked after.
Initial works have already begun with main resleepering work running through May until late October.
Works will run between 8pm and 5am. Residents are advised to check their local paper, and www.vline.com.au for work, and train service updates.
Coaches will replace some late night train services throughout the works.
Topics: 2010, Australia, Ballarat, Brumby Labor Government, business, concrete sleepers, construction, economic development, economic growth, Economy, Fast Rail, Garfield, Geelong, Gippsland, Gippsland works, Governance, government, investment, maintenance, moniter, monitor, Nar Nar Goon, news, Pakenham, public transport, Regional Fast Rail Corridors, reliability, resurfacing works, sleepers, stimulus, timber sleepers, timber track sections, track renewals, trains, Traralgon, Tynong, Victoria, Yarragon
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