By Goya Dmytryshchak
Altona Loop train services will resume on Tuesday, one week ahead of schedule.
Werribee line trains on the Altona Loop shut down on June 16 as the level crossing in Kororoit Creek Road, outside the Mobil Altona refinery, was removed.
Replacement buses have replaced trains in the Altona Loop, transporting commuters who use Seaholme, Altona and Westona stations.
During the train shutdown, a dual rail bridge has been built over Kororoit Creek Road and 800 metres of track has been duplicated between Altona junction and Kororoit Creek to allow trains to pass each other on the Altona Loop.
Westona station had been the only place on the Altona Loop where trains could pass each other, but the new partial duplication will provide another passing point and reduce the number of trains forced to bypass the loop via the Werribee line.
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan on Monday said that Altona Loop commuters could look forward to more reliable journeys with the duplicated section of track removing a significant bottleneck and providing another point along the loop where trains could safely pass one another.
She said congestion in Kororoit Creek Road would be decreased with vehicles able to pass beneath the rail bridge along the now free-flowing road below.
“I’d like to thank local commuters for their patience as these important works were undertaken,” Ms Allan said.
“That dangerous and congested level crossing is now gone, delivering benefits for those who use both rail and road.”
Trains will run to the normal timetable from the first service tomorrow morning.
The Werribee line will have a new metropolitan timetable from August 26 with 35 additional services.
A test train travelled through the Altona Loop and over the new rail bridges Sunday night.
Altona MP Jill Hennessy said the rail bridge and track duplication would improve reliability.
“In the past, train drivers have been forced to bypass the Altona Loop as a result of delays elsewhere on the network, but the new section of duplicated track will get locals where they need to go safer and sooner,” she said.
The project involved 750 workers.
