Works to upgrade the 525km Mildura rail freight line reached Mildura this week.

The Mildura rail freight upgrade is a joint project of the Australian and Victorian Governments, with the Federal Government providing $20 million and the Victorian Government contributing $53 million.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese, said the project was progressing extremely well with approximately two thirds of the project completed.

“About 75 per cent of the track has been re-sleepered, that’s a staggering 220,000 sleepers,” Mr Albanese said.

“The Mildura freight line is of great importance to the State of Victoria and both governments have allocated the necessary resources to ensure the future of the line.”

Almost two in every five sleepers along the line will be replaced and a third rail added at level crossings to allow for future standardisation.

Victorian Minister for Public Transport, Lynne Kosky, said 47 level crossings along the line had already received a third rail.

“Once complete, freight trains will be able to operate at 80km/h, reducing travel times along the line from 14 hours to less than ten,” Ms Kosky said.

“These important works will focus on creating a faster, more reliable and efficient rail link and give producers greater incentive to transport freight by rail,” she said.

John Holland Rail is completing the upgrade and has planned the following road closures:

• Benetook Ave, Mildura - 6am Sat 18 Oct to 6pm Sun 19 Oct


•  Williams Rd, Ouyen – 6am Mon 20 to 6pm Tue 21 Oct


•  Carwarp West Rd, Carwarp – 6am Tue 21 Oct to 6pm Wed 22 Oct


• Carwarp North West Angle Rd, Carwarp – 6am Wed 22 Oct to 6pm Thu 23 Oct


• Calder Hwy, Irymple – 6am Sat 25 Oct to 6pm Sun 26 Oct


• Etiwanda Ave, Mildura – 6am Mon 27 Oct to 6pm Tue 28 Oct


• Cowra Ave, Mildura – 6am Tue 28 Oct to 6pm Wed 29 Oct

Ms Kosky said she was pleased with the level of support the community had shown to date, particularly during level crossing closures to enable essential works to be undertaken. Drivers and pedestrians are urged to continue to take care at level crossings. The works team will break up during the hot summer months and recommence works in March 2009.

Work will still be completed on schedule in the second half of 2009.