Article: Rail study unveils grand plans for Melbourne's east

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Rail study unveils grand plans for Melbourne's east

Rail study unveils grand plans for Melbourne's east

    by: Ashley Gardiner
    From: Herald Sun
    March 09, 2012 12:00AM

A BIG rail tunnel system from Ringwood to the city's north and Hawthorn is among three new options to boost train services to Melbourne's east.

The alternatives have been put forward by the Baillieu Government's Doncaster Rail Study.

A tunnel via Doncaster Rd and Kew Junction could attract development in existing residential and commercial areas, the Government said.

The line could be built along the Eastern Freeway, part tunnel and part elevated, with feeder buses to remove road traffic.

Or a railway could run from Doncaster to Box Hill, the first step towards an orbital line around Melbourne, including links to Monash University and Melbourne airport.

While $6.5 million has been set aside for the study, there is no commitment to the project, which would run into the billions.

Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder said a preferred route would be announced later this year.

"Over the past four months, the study team has engaged with councils, residents and businesses to understand issues associated with a heavy rail line to Doncaster," Mr Mulder said.

"The study team has shortlisted some potential corridor options, which will be presented at community workshops."

He said the study was also examining possibilities east of Doncaster.

"There are a number of complex land use, environmental, construction and operational considerations that need to be fully investigated before the final recommendations can be made," Mr Mulder said.

Doncaster MP Mary Wooldridge said interested residents should attend the workshops.

Public Transport Users Association president Daniel Bowen said Doncaster had been waiting more than 100 years for a train.

"The City of Manningham is the only council area with no heavy rail access, and the result is daily traffic jams on many of its roads," Mr Bowen said.

[#Metro]

A BIG rail tunnel system from Ringwood to the city's north and Hawthorn is among three new options to boost train services to Melbourne's east.

Sigh. ATM Australia...

Why don't they build things like skytrain or separate lines rather than spurs?
Billions of dollars, how is this going to happen?

Why not proper light rail or BRT feeding the train stations?

Surprise surprise, they chose the mode first....

http://www.doncasterrailstudy.com/

3.   Will the Study also consider 'light rail' options, such as trams?
Not as part of Phase One. The Victorian Government has appointed the Doncaster Rail Study team to only investigate heavy rail options to the Doncaster area.