Victorian Minister of Transport Michael McCormack announced that the USD 1.34 billion Regional Rail Revival programme has progressed with its projects. The programme’s objective is to upgrade every regional passenger train line in Victoria.
The program includes USD 61.2 million to duplicate track and other upgrades around Waurn Ponds Station complementing a future duplication from South Geelong to Waurn Ponds. These works are part of the USD 122.5 million Geelong Line Upgrade, USD 23 million of which will also support the corridor preservation for a future link to Armstrong Creek.
Separately, the business case for the full duplication of the South Geelong – Waurn Ponds corridor has been submitted to Infrastructure Australia for assessment following the completion of the 3 million South Geelong to Waurn Ponds planning project.
“While the business case for the full project is under assessment, we’re getting on with work needed to start duplication at Waurn Ponds Station, to give passengers on regional Victoria’s busiest line the train services they deserve,” Public Transport Minister, Jacinta Allan said.
Regional Rail Revival will transform public transport for regional Victorians and the benefits will begin to flow as early as later this year, with projects to be progressively completed by 2022.
The lines to be upgraded are Ballarat, with works well underway, and will be completed by the end of 2019. In 2020 Warrnambool line upgrade will be finished, and in 2021, Geelong and Bendigo Echuca lines should be completed. Gippsland Line upgrade will be completed by late 2022, with the Avon River bridge replaced in early 2021.
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