Buses will replace trains on the parts of the Mernda line in January as works to remove the Keon Parade level crossing ramp up.
Transport infrastructure minister Danny Pearson announced the works to remove the dangerous level crossing will ramp up in early 2024 and it would be removed ahead of schedule.
In addition, the new Keon Park station will be up and running by spring, a year ahead of the original schedule.
Due to the works there will be some delays and interruptions for commuters, who are urged to allocate extra time to travel during this period.
From 9pm Thursday, January 11 to Sunday, January 21, buses will replace trains between Reservoir and Epping on the Mernda line.
From Monday, January 22, trains headed towards the city will travel on the completed rail bridge over Keon Parade, as the construction team starts work on the second rail bridge in the opposite direction.
Trains headed to Mernda will remain on the ground track, directly below, until spring.
Throughout this period, trains will not stop at Keon Park station, and a shuttle bus will run between Thomastown and Ruthven stations for passengers who need to get on and off at Keon Park Station.
Once the second 750-metre-long rail bridge is complete, the 18,000 vehicles that travel on Keon Parade each day will no longer have to stop for trains, cutting down delays.
Gerald Lynch
