Track improvements in Nagambie and Wahring in Victoria have been delivered as part of the $400 million Stage 3 Shepparton Line Upgrade project, jointly funded by the Federal and Victorian Governments.
The Federal Government has committed $320 million to the Stage 3 works.
Crews have replaced more than 13km of ageing wooden track with 15,000 new concrete sleepers, while adding more than 35,000t of new ballast along the line.
Further improvements included rebuilding the track through four level crossings in Wahring, which followed previous upgrades made to a 26km section in late 2023.
Wahring-Euroa, Bunganail, McDonalds and Grimwade roads have also reopened after being temporarily closed for resurfacing.
Signalling design work is continuing to allow more trains to run on the line when the project is complete.
The Shepparton Line Upgrade has already brought modern and accessible VLocity trains to Shepparton for the first time, upgraded stations at Mooroopna, Murchison East and Nagambie, and delivered extra services.
Stage 3 of the project has also extended the Murchison East passing loop, allowing 1,200m freight trains and two six-car VLocity trains to pass each other. It has also increased capacity at the new Shepparton stabling facility to house extra VLocity trains.
V/Line carried out important works while trains were not running, including replacing sleepers between Craigieburn and Seymour, upgrading signals at Wallan and updating a 20km section of freight line between Tocumwal and Strathmerton.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said, “The Goulburn Valley is a fantastic place to live, work and study, and the Shepparton Line Upgrade is making it even better by improving rail transport in the region for passengers.”
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Danny Pearson, said, “We are getting on with delivering the third stage of the Shepparton Line Upgrade, which will improve the way people travel across the Goulburn Valley, with more frequent and reliable services.”
