As of March 2025, these lights are still not in use.
State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell is renewing calls in parliament to confirm when these lights will be turned on, as well as when the Shepparton rail line upgrade will be completed.
Stage three of the Shepparton line upgrade is still yet to be completed, which involves signalling work that will need to be finished before the lights can be turned on.
The delays on stage three are also preventing the rollout of the nine weekday return services that were promised in 2020.
Just recently, the Victorian government announced more regional train services across the state, but Shepparton was left off the list.
“The patience of Shepparton residents has run out. Everyone is desperate to know when the signalling upgrade will be complete, so the traffic lights can be turned on, and extra trains can run on the Shepparton line,” Ms Lovell said.
“The state Labor government recently announced that it is adding new weekend services on four regional rail lines, but Shepparton has missed out again because the signalling work still isn’t finished to allow more trains to run.
“The Victorian Government must confirm when the signalling upgrade will be complete, and urgently finish the work.”
The News asked the Department of Transport and Planning why there was yet to be any news on the lights being turned on.
It referred us to a statement that was sent to The News in September 2024, stating there was no change since that statement was sent.
“We’re working with Greater Shepparton City Council on planning for the activation of the traffic signals and thank the community for their patience while this process continues,” Department of Transport and Planning executive director of Hume and Loddon Mallee Anthony Judd said.
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