The Wodonga Rail Bypass, was a Victorian state government project in regional Victoria, Australia, to provide a new double-track railway bypass around the northern city of Wodonga. The 5.5-kilometre bypass eliminated 11 level crossings in Wodonga's central business district (CBD).[1]

The project sought to address issues associated with increasing freight rail movements on the busy Sydney-Melbourne rail corridor and the frequent interruption of road traffic caused by train movements, while also allowing for urban renewal. In 2008, it was estimated that in 20 years, that freight rail traffic would increase by 70%. The bypass was slated to shave 10 minutes off a train trip between Sydney and Melbourne.[2]

Since the opening of the new Wodonga railway station in 2011, passengers wishing to use the station need to complete their journey to and from the CBD by road transport.

Funding

In December 2000, the federal government committed $20 million for the bypass project, In the 2006/07 budget, the Victorian government set aside $55 million to fund the bypass.[3] In November 2006, the Government of Victoria came to an agreement with Pacific National to buy back the company's lease on the state's rail network, which enabled them to go ahead with the project.[4]

Cost

By January 2007, the estimated cost of the project had risen to $125 million, and the start of work on the bypass was delayed.[5] The project was part of a $501 million upgrade of the North East line.[1]

Construction

Work finally began on the bypass in September 2008,[6] with the Premier of Victoria John Brumby and Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese turning the first sod.[1] There were delays in October 2008, when the Dhudhuroa peoples told Federal Minister for Environment Peter Garrett that the works would be likely to desecrate and deface six culturally significant sites, areas and objects.[7]

On 23 July 2010, the new rail bypass was opened, and the original line through Wodonga decommissioned.[8][9][10] On 25 June 2011, the new Wodonga railway station opened.[11][12]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Rail freight superhighway comes closer Transport & Logistics News 30 September 2008
  2. ↑ "Work begins on rail freight super-highway". OwnerDriver.com.au. 29 September 2008. Archived from the original on 11 November 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  3. ↑ Country services restored Archived 6 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine The Age 30 May 2006
  4. ↑ Rail deal done Archived 20 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine The Border Mail 2 November 2006
  5. ↑ Main rail line to get better passing loops Archived 20 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine The Border Mail 11 January 2007
  6. ↑ Stock & Land 29 September 2008
  7. ↑ No more rail delays: MPs Archived 20 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine The Border Mail 6 October 2008
  8. ↑ TAA 0595-2010: Chiltern Loop – Albury South: Commissioning of Wodonga Rail Bypass Australian Rail Track Corporation 19 July 2010
  9. ↑ A bypass milestone as freight train ambles in Archived 20 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine The Border Mail 27 June 2010
  10. ↑ First train crosses Wodonga bypass Archived 14 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine Rail Express 11 August 2010
  11. ↑ Communities welcome V/Line trains back to the border Archived 17 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine Regional Development Victoria 25 June 2011
  12. ↑ Communities welcome V/Line tracks back to the border Archived 2 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine V/Line Voice issue 68 July 2011
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