Ringwood Station upgrade

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http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/10379-40-million-design-and-construct-contract-awarded-as-part-of-coalition-s-66-million-ringwood-station-upgrade.html

$40 million design and construct contract awarded as part of Coalition's $66 million Ringwood Station upgrade

Monday, 07 July 2014

Major works to upgrade the Ringwood Station and bus interchange will begin by the end of this year, Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder announced today.

Mr Mulder said following a competitive tendering process, the $40.46 million contract for design and construction works on the Ringwood Station and Interchange Upgrade project had been awarded to John Holland.

"The Victorian Coalition Government is investing $66 million in a major upgrade to the Ringwood Station and bus interchange to make it a safer, more accessible and far more attractive place for commuters and visitors," Mr Mulder said.

"Transforming this major transport hub will boost economic development and jobs and is a key part of the Napthine Government's record $24 billion investment in better transport infrastructure.

"Awarding the design and construction contract is a major step towards the delivery of improved transport infrastructure for Ringwood and I look forward to seeing shovels in the ground before the end of this year."

Minister for the Environment and Member for Warrandyte Ryan Smith said the upgrade would help to transform the Ringwood precinct and encourage further economic development.

"Over the next few years the Ringwood area will undergo a major transformation as works occur concurrently at Ringwood Station and Eastland Shopping Centre," Mr Smith said.

"In addition to the upgrade to Ringwood Station and the expansion of Eastland Shopping Centre, changes will be made on the Maroondah Highway to improve pedestrian connectivity and create more frequent crossing opportunities.

"The station precinct will feature a new landscaped forecourt with improved lighting, secure bicycle facilities and CCTV and new bicycle lanes along the Maroondah Highway.

"The 1,400 people each day who use the Ringwood Station bus interchange will benefit from improved weather protection, seating and real-time passenger information displays.

"Works to create over 40 new station car parks in Thanet Court are also underway and expected to be completed by the end of July 2014," Mr Smith said.

Member for Mitcham and Liberal candidate for Ringwood Dee Ryall said the project would make the station and bus interchange easier and safer to use while providing a catalyst for growth and jobs.

"This major investment will change the face of Ringwood, create jobs and boost Ringwood's economy for the long term," Ms Ryall said.

"From 1 January next year, Ringwood commuters will also benefit by only paying a Zone 1 fare for Zone 1+2 travel, as well as enjoying free tram travel in the CBD and Docklands."

Ms Ryall said extensive community and stakeholder consultation was undertaken from 2011 to 2013 to develop the concept for the upgrade.

"The community consultation found that lifts were important to cater for everyone's mobility needs and we will deliver them as part of the project," Ms Ryall said.

"The project team has been working in partnership with Maroondah City Council and the owner of Eastland Shopping Centre, Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC), to ensure the station upgrade is integrated with planned development in the area."

The project is expected to be complete in early 2016 and will include:

    a major station upgrade to provide full accessibility, improved amenity and shelter;
    a pedestrian concourse providing 24-hour access over the railway line;
    stairs, ramps, lifts and an escalator to provide access to the platforms and concourse;
    preservation of heritage-listed station buildings with upgrades to allow continued use;
    reconstruction and expansion of the bus interchange;
    new toilet facilities and waiting rooms;
    creation of a landscaped station forecourt;
    improved safety with additional lighting and CCTV;
    a new signalised pedestrian crossing of Maroondah Highway, with more frequent crossing opportunities;
    vastly improved pedestrian and cycling facilities along the Maroondah Highway and Station Street; and
    improvements to the road environment to create a 'boulevard' between Ringwood Street and Warrandyte Road.

The project is being delivered by VicRoads and contractor John Holland on behalf of Public Transport Victoria. For more information about the project please visit ptv.vic.gov.au/ringwoodupgrade or call 1800 800 007 (6am – midnight daily).