[1] The project sought to address issues associated with increasing freight rail movements on the busy Sydney-Melbourne rail corridor and the frequent interruption of road traffic caused by train movements, while also allowing for urban renewal.
[3] In November 2006, the Government of Victoria came to an agreement with Pacific National to buy back the company's lease on the state's rail network, which enabled them to go ahead with the project.
[4] By January 2007, the estimated cost of the project had risen to $125 million, and the start of work on the bypass was delayed.
[1] Work finally began on the bypass in September 2008,[6] with the Premier of Victoria John Brumby and Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese turning the first sod.
[1] There were delays in October 2008, when the Dhudhuroa peoples told Federal Minister for Environment Peter Garrett that the works would be likely to desecrate and deface six culturally significant sites, areas and objects.