The Australian Rail Track Corporation first revealed it was considering the major works as part of the inland rail project, when it visited the region back in July.

Plans will now go before Wangaratta Council at Tuesday night’s meeting.

The meeting agenda recommends councillors approve the rail realignment, filling in the area where tracks will be removed to create more open space and installing dropped tracks for the entire length of works to reduce the impact on the existing station building.

“Wangaratta is noted as one of the more ‘tricky’ sections with eight sites where works are required to structures,” the report stated.

“Council officers and the community have strong views on these works, particularly with the soon to be designed and constructed railway precinct works in Cusack, Norton and Docker streets.”

The ARTC has also proposed to remove Wangaratta’s pedestrian bridges at nearby Cusack and Docker streets, which are too low for double-stacked trains to fit underneath, and replace them with one higher bridge.

ARTC senior project manager Dinesh Batra told The Border Mail in July the preference was to lower the track by 1.5 metres under the Beaconsfield Parade bridge at Glenrowan.

The council report recommended maintaining the current track location, alignment and level further along at Glenrowan Rail Station.

Staff will meet with council officers in mid-October to discuss the decisions made at Tuesday’s meeting, to be held at Tarrawingee Hall from 6pm.

Meanwhile ARTC staff will be in Albury’s QEII Square from 3pm to 6pm on Monday to get feedback on more proposed alterations to bridges.

It has proposed lowering the track at the Riverina Highway and Billy Hughes bridges, then replacing the footbridge at Albury Rail Station, modifying the bridge over the Murray River and removing the unused footbridge near the railway station in Culcairn.

NSW inland rail stakeholder relations manager Helena Orel said experts would be available to answer questions.

“We know whatever option is chosen will have an impact on access for people and vehicles so it is vital we get feedback on what is being planned and what transport or infrastructure alternatives can be provided while the work is underway,” she said.

“We are looking at different options for the bridges along the line.

“In some areas we can lower the track so trains can pass under an existing bridge, but for others the only options are raising an existing bridge or replacing it.”