Time out: V/Line says the Gippsland line will be disrupted for at least a month while repairs are made to damaged tracks. Photo: William PJ Kulich
UPDATE (23 August, 4.15pm): V/Line has advised customers to arrive at Traralgon and Morwell stations 20 minutes earlier to catch buses so trains can leave Moe on time.
THE GIPPSLAND line will remain closed between Moe, Traralgon and Bairnsdale for at least a month, with bus replacements and delays expected.
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The line was closed this afternoon, having been reopened on Monday after a temporary repair was made to damage sustained on Sunday.
Buses will replace trains between Moe, Morwell and Traralgon, and Bairnsdale line trains will be replaced by buses for the entire journey, adding up to an hour to travel time.
A 20 metre section of track between Moe and Traralgon was damaged when the Morwell River overflowed on the weekend, eroding ballast and line foundations.
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Repairs will involve constructing a temporary dam to pump approximately 2.4 million litres of water from the site, enough to fill an Olympic swimming pool.
V/Line Chief Executive Officer Rob Barnett said in a media release the line cannot remain open while repairs are made.
“Because the work being completed is directly underneath the track we can’t safely run trains through the site,” Mr Barnett said.
“We ask customers to be patient as we work to try minimise the disruption.”
Another travel update will be issued tomorrow.
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PREVIOUS UPDATE (3.46pm):
GIPPSLAND line commuters have been told to expect delays after the line’s second suspension this week.
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V/Line has informed commuters trains will not operate beyond Moe until further notice due to a track fault.
The line was suspended at the same place on Monday after heavy rain damaged tracks.
More information will be published as it becomes available.
Update (3.55pm): Some services will operate as a coach between Traralgon and Moe.
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the the state government invested some real money into the line
Gippsland line partially closed
Posted Wednesday 22 August at 17:00
Trains will not run between Moe, Traralgon and Bairnsdale as work begins from today to repair track damage.
The line was initially closed Sunday night (19 August) and re-opened late Monday evening (20 August) after a temporary repair was completed.
Following further inspections it is neccessary to close the line and put a permanent solution in place.
It is likely this work will take at least four weeks.
During this time buses are likely to run between Moe, Traralgon and Bairnsdale stations.
Full bus replacement details will be posted here from tomorrow Thursday 23 August.
For customers travelling tomorrow Thursday 23 August the following will be in place:
Traralgon trains will arrive and depart from Moe Station. Buses will travel from Morwell and Traralgon stations and meet waiting trains.
Bairnsdale trains will run as buses for the entire journey.
Expect delays of up to 30 minutes.
For the latest travel updates or for customers with special needs please call 1800-800-007.
For the latest up-to-date information visit vline.com.au/gippslandline or follow us on Twitter on @vline_gippsland.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-29/gippsland-rail-line-repairs-to-take-months/4230162?section=vic