Coaches will replace Albury line train services from 6am this Saturday until Monday, 15 September due to required track maintenance.
Works will include re-railing, track reconditioning, structures upgrades and repairs as well as mudhole removal and track ballasting and tamping activities.
The closure will take effect on all track from Southern Cross Station to Albury and further into NSW.
Australian Rail Track Authority (ARTC) will carry out the works and the railway line will be closed between Moss Vale in NSW and Tottenham in Victoria.
ARTC group executive operations Clinton Crump said the planned network shutdown allows for the completion of more than 20,000 hours of work, maintaining the safety and reliability of the Sydney to Melbourne and Cootamundra to Parkes rail corridors.
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“It is a critical corridor for ARTC, so the Sydney to Melbourne line will be shut this weekend and we’ll be carrying out several large-scale maintenance activities including some re-railing and track reconditioning," Mr Crump said.
"We’re working on some bridges and other track repairs to maintain the resilience and reliability of the network.
“We are part of a larger supply and logistics chain, so we coordinate our works the best we can for our customers and the travelling public.
"Doing it twice a year, we do appreciate that it does cause some inconvenience; it is the most efficient way to carry out large-scale maintenance works.”
Major construction will be undertaken as part of the Inland Rail project, including the demolition of the Kemp Street bridge at Junee, NSW, and the Hamilton Street bridge at Broadford, Victoria.
“ARTC would like to thank the community for their patience as we undertake these important long-term improvements,” Mr Crump said.
Coaches and buses will replace NSW Trainlink services, including the Sydney to Melbourne XPT and V/Line Albury Line trains during this time.
For up-to-date journey information, customers are encouraged to visit Transportnsw.info or vline.com.au for assistance in planning their journey.
ARTC is reminding motorists and pedestrians to remain vigilant for altered traffic conditions near the rail corridor, pay attention to signage and to obey all road rules at level crossings, with heavy machinery active on rail lines.
Information on road closures or diversions and alternative routes can be found at Live Traffic NSW (livetraffic.com) and VicTraffic (traffic.transport.vic.gov.au).
