VIC - Rail to bypass Wodonga

["Michael" <michael@bitsnpcs.com.au>]

Full steam ahead for Border rail relocation plan
2 December 2000 - Cut from Border Mail             www.bordermail.com.au

WODONGA will have its railway line relocated to the floodplain in 2004.

Federal Transport Minister Mr John Anderson yesterday pledged $20 million in
principle for the $57 million project.

Uncle Ben's simultaneously announced it could now proceed with a $45 million
upgrade that will create 60 new jobs.

Mr Anderson apologised for delaying an announcement on the Albury highway
bypass, but promised a decision in February.

Planning and environmental studies of the new rail route should take at
least a year and construction probably two years.

The rail bypass will pass under the Lincoln Causeway, requiring two
overpasses to carry Hume Highway traffic.

Mr Anderson made clear his decision was based on national objectives that,
he said, would also meet local aims.

Chief among these was to facilitate high-speed freight trains on the
Melbourne-Brisbane route and a massive shift to rail freight.