By Laura Michell
Northern suburbs residents are facing a summer of road and rail disruptions as construction of several major infrastructure projects ramp up.
The summer construction blitz will affect motorists in Epping, Mernda and South Morang, as well as Mernda bus users and Mernda and Upfield train passengers.
Buses will replace trains on the Mernda line between Mernda and Thornbury from December 3-15.
The suspension of train services will allow crews to work around the clock to remove the level crossing at High Street, Reservoir.
Sections of Plenty Road will be reduced to one lane between January 6-24 as part of the second stage of the Plenty Road upgrade.
The road is being widened to six lanes between Bush and Riverdale boulevards and to four lanes between Riverdale Boulevard and Bridge Inn Road.
There will also be lane closures on sections of McDonalds Road during the same period.
As part of the Plenty Road upgrade, motorists will be unable to perform a right turn at the intersection of Old Plenty and Plenty roads until March 31, 2020.
The upgrade will also affect bus services on routes 382 and 386, with bus stops on Plenty Road south of Riverdale Boulevard closed until April 15, 2020.
Citybound passengers can use the stop near The Parkway, while Mernda-bound passengers can access bus services via a stop near Waterview Drive.
In Epping, Cotters Road will be closed at O’Herns Road until March 31, 2020 as part of the O’Herns Road upgrade. Motorists are advised to use Rockfield Street and Redding
Rise or Manor House Drive and Lyndarum Drive instead.
Buses will replace trains on the Upfield train line between North Melbourne and Upfield from February 7-9.
Premier Daniel Andrews said summer was a quieter time on the state’s roads and trains.
“Over summer, construction crews will be getting on some of the biggest transport projects in Victoria’s history. Without these vital upgrades, our city and state would grind
to a halt,” he said.
Details: bigbuild.vic.gov.au
