INLAND Rail has provided its latest update for September works across Broadford and Wandong, while the first site in the Beveridge to Albury Tranche 2 section has been completed in Seymour.
The Hume Freeway Seymour site is the fifth to be finished in the B2A section, joining Tranche 1 sites Barnawartha North, Wangaratta, Seymour-Avenel Road and Glenrowan.
To provide the necessary clearance for double-stacked freight trains, two Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) Standard Gauge tracks and one V/Line Broad Gauge track were realigned and lowered beneath the Hume Freeway.
A 1.6-kilometre section of the tracks was removed, lowered by 1.5 metres, realigned by 2.9 metres, and rebuilt.
The Seymour site works included the excavation of over 30,000 tonnes of material and ballast, extensive drainage upgrades, embankment widening works, and vegetation removal activities to improve the stability of the rail corridor.
An 80-metre deflection wall was also constructed to protect the existing Hume Freeway bridge piers.
In total, Inland Rail is modifying twelve sites between Beveridge and Albury to provide the clearance required for double-stacked freight trains.
An Inland Rail spokesperson said it was a significant update.
“Completing the first site on B2A Tranche 2 marks an important milestone for the project,” they said.
“The crews did a terrific job to complete the work on the critical railway line and under the main freeway between Melbourne and Sydney,ahead of schedule.
“The B2A Tranche 2 project in Victoria is progressing well with the remaining seven sites expected to be completed early next year.”
Marchbanks Road in Broadford will continue to remain shut in September as work continues to demolish the bridge and install bridge girders.
The section, as well as the Hume Freeway on and off ramps, will continue to be closed until mid-October as round-the-clock works continue. Inland Rail says nearby residents may experience noise, lighting from light towers and vibrations.
On Short Street and Hamilton Street, round-the-clock works will proceed from 7am on Friday, September 11 to 6pm on Tuesday, September 15.
Works will also continue from 7am-6pm Monday to Fridays and 7am-1pm on Saturdays.
Temporary short-term shuttle flow will be in place as required, while heavy vehicles will also travel between two access points along the rail corridor at the west side of Ferguson Street and Jamieson Street to the project site.
Access to Short Street from Sutherland Street and the eastern side at Rupert Street will be temporarily closed.
Works in Wandong will also continue.
The construction of access roads and pathways, installations of handrails, fencing, public lighting and earthworks and landscaping will be the main focus.
Works will continue from 7am-6pm Monday to Friday and 7am-1pm on Saturdays in the town.
As part of the works, sections of Epping-Kilmore Road, Broadford-Wandong Road, Rail Street and the Broadford-Wandong Road bridge requires temporary single-lane shuttle flow.