Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade now complete

The Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade is now complete, providing faster and more efficient travel for commuters across both regions.

Three new stations have been delivered as part of the project, increasing the reliability and access to trains across multiple communities. Upgrades were also made to 80 kilometres of track, as well as 10 level crossing removals.

New signals are also helping to boost safety at Eaglehawk station.

As a result of the upgrades Trains now run faster and more frequently between the two regions, with trains able to reach speeds of up to 130 km/h. This represents an increase of 50 km/h, enabled by track upgrades.

Passengers as a result can now save up to five minutes on their journey between Echuca to Bendigo.

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Time savings of seven minutes are also expected to be reached as part of a timetable change later this year. Extra services will also be introduced for Epsom and Eaglehawk as part of the future timetable change.

More than 230 people worked for more than 30,000 hours, replacing close to 15,000 sleepers and 21,000 tonnes of ballast while trains were not running in April, May and June.

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure and Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan said the completion of the works would help to increase access to the region for people living, working and studying.

“These upgrades mean Echuca Line trains can go faster and get people where they need sooner – better connecting communities in central and northern Victoria with each other and the rest of Victoria,” Allan said.