THERE might not be as many travelling on the rail network at the moment, but for those that still are, you are in for some major disruptions over the next 11 days.
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Buses of no more than 25 people at a time due to social distancing laws will replace trains from Wednesday April 22 to Sunday May 3 on the Ballarat, Maryborough and Ararat lines.
The work, which is part of a $3.9 million package will focus on infrastructure upgrades particularly on the Melton Reservoir viaduct
Also the surface of the rail bridge over Toolern Creek and several culverts will be replaced, which allow water to pass under the tracks.
The package of works also includes replacing and improving sections of track, installing signalling equipment and upgrading the road surface at the Dowling Road level crossing at Windermere.
Buses will replace all trains for the entire journey between Southern Cross and Ballarat and Ararat for the whole stoppages while coaches will also replace Maryborough line trains between Southern Cross, Ballarat and Maryborough until April 27. Trains from Maryborough will then connect with buses at Ballarat until May 3.
Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne said works will be completed under the Chief Health Officer's guidelines on work sites, including implementing physical distancing wherever possible and limiting physical interaction between workers and limiting worker numbers.
To help maintain physical distancing, replacement coaches will be limited to 25 passengers per coach and the front two rows of seats are not available for passengers. Coach operators will also increased cleaning measures.
"These works are going ahead with extra precautions in place to keep workers safe as we continue to slow the spread of coronavirus," Ms Horne said.
The State Government also confirmed these works had been scheduled and had not been brought forward due to less patronage on the line at this time.
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