Underway … The proposed track works between Sunshine and Tottenham. 64795
By Belinda Nolan
BRIMBANK commuters are bracing for more train pain as the State Government prepares to shut down half of the Sydenham rail line for the first stage in the Regional Rail Link works.
Transport Minister Terry Mulder recently announced that the Sydenham line would be closed between Albion and Footscray stations for 18 days from 1 July as the tracks between Tottenham and Sunshine are realigned to make way for regional tracks.
Planned to coincide with the school holidays, Metro Trains will also use the closure to conduct desperately needed maintenance works to tracks, overhead wiring, platforms, bridges and drainage.
A spokeswoman for the Regional Rail Link confirmed the shutdown was the first of several that would be required as works on the project progressed.
During the works 230 buses will be scheduled to replace trains, with express buses running between Albion and Flemington Racecourse stations and Sunshine and Flemington Racecourse stations.
Buses will also be stopping at stations between Sunshine and Footscray, allowing commuters to catch trains on the Werribee and Williamstown train lines.
The July shutdown is expected to cause chaos for thousands of commuters who regularly pack Sydenham trains during peak hour services.
Brimbank Transport Action Group spokesman Peter Thomson said the strategy was sure to cause massive disruptions.
“Those trains are already sardine packed as it is, there is just no way they are going to get enough buses to accommodate the amount of peak hour passengers who will be affected by this.
“It’s going to be absolute mayhem.”
Sunshine West resident Eric Creeley regularly catches the train to and from work from Sunshine Station.
Mr Creeley said he had no idea how much extra time the closure would add to his trips.
“The government has provided no schedule of works for the RRL so we don’t know how many of these disruptions will be occurring in the coming year,” Mr Creeley said.
“If we are shunted to Flemington Racecourse every few months it will be a debacle.”
Greens MLC Colleen Hartland also criticised the move, calling on the government to make the project’s schedule of works public.
Trains will continue to run from Watergardens to Albion Station, stopping at Keilor Plains, St Albans and Ginifer Stations.
Details of bus replacement services are currently being finalised with more detailed information to be made available from mid-June.
For further details visit the Metlink website or call 131 638.
