General News
29 August, 2026
Line upgrade
THE freight line running through Ararat and Stawell will close for three days from tomorrow as the Australian Rail Track Corporation undertakes signalling and network improvements.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) will deliver the improvements during a 64-hour shutdown from 5am Saturday 29 August to 7pm Monday 31 August, with 18 work sites in Victoria and a further 12
in South Australia.
The shutdown is the result of 12 months of detailed planning to coordinate the works, crews and access to the rail network while minimising disruption to freight customers.
The program includes a major signalling upgrade at Ararat replacing the existing manual, relay-based system with modern computer-based signalling.
Works will also remove six temporary speed restrictions across the corridor and address track and signalling constraints, helping improve the reliability and efficiency of freight moving through Victoria and between states.
The shutdown will also strengthen the corridor ahead of summer, when extreme heat can affect track conditions and severe weather, including flooding and debris on the track, can disrupt freight services.
Crews will correct track geometry and undertake ballast undercutting to improve track stability, reduce defects and help prevent weather-related delays.
A coach service will replace two Adelaide–Melbourne Overland services on 30 and 31 August.
ARTC Director of Infrastructure Projects Heather Parry said the works will allow freight to flow more freely between Victoria and South Australia.
“This is a step change for a critical national freight corridor that supports the movement of goods across the country.
“Cutting up to 40-minutes off journey times means moving everything - from groceries to heavy manufacturing materials - is faster and more reliable.
“At the same time, we’re improving safety and building the resilience we need to keep freight moving as demand grows,” she said.
Read More: Ararat, Stawell, Tatyoon, Great Western