Victorian public transport minister Jacinta Allan said yesterday her government didn’t want to see train travellers forced onto buses for extended periods during the works which won’t be completed until 2021.

Deputy Prime Minister and infrastructure minister Michael McCormack announced last week the federal government had approved the scope of works on a visit to Albury, but the Victorian Government still had some concerns around priorities being given to freight over passengers and was a notable absentee from the announcement.

“Finalising the scope of works is an important step forward and we will continue to work with the Commonwealth Government to ensure passengers are the priority as works begin,” Ms Allan said.

“The Labor Government wants to ensure that minimising disruption for passengers is the priority when works begin and that the schedule aligns with other works occurring within the corridor.”

The Australian Rail Track Corporation is in charge of the North-East line upgrade and the scope of works include track resurfacing, ballast replacement, drainage improvements, bridge upgrades, mud-hole removal and installation of back-up and solar power supplies.

Running concurrently with the North-East line works will be improvements to the Shepparton line and train station improvements at Wallan and Donnybrook south of Seymour.

An ARTC spokesperson said it would be working hard to minimise disruption to passengers where possible during the works.

“We recognise Victorian transport agencies are managing a pipeline of projects across the state and we are working with them to ensure we are as co-ordinated as possible,” the spokesperson said.

“One of the projects ARTC is delivering to help minimise disruption is installing new crossovers along the 100km section of double track between Seymour and Benalla.

“Crossovers allow trains to switch between tracks and by installing these we will increase the ability of work crews to be able to work in-between train services safely.

Meanwhile, the 12.05pm train to Albury terminated early at Seymour yesterday due to a faulty speedometer.

“The train fault is disappointing after we recorded 98 per cent service reliability on the Albury line in September, the best result since 2016,” A V/Line spokesman said.