Vic: Infrastructure ...

[ozbob]

Roads and Infrastructure --> Melbourne's busiest rail corridors receive $572M upgrade

Victoria's busiest rail corridors will receive $572 million to deliver power and signalling upgrades.

Melbourne's Pakenham, Cranbourne and Sunbury lines will undergo upgrades to enable high capacity metro trains to run to Sunbury, and to duplicate the Cranbourne line.

The Victorian Government's investment aims to deliver more services, better reliability and provide room for an additional 234,000 peak passengers every week from Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham.

The existing project to remove the level crossings between Dandenong and Caulfield has included upgraded power, new track, longer platforms and modernised signalling.

The new project aims to expand these upgrades along the entire corridor to ensure high-capacity trains can reliably run all the way from Cranbourne and Pakenham to Sunbury, linked through the CBD by the Metro Tunnel.

Victorian Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said the state government is delivering longer trains, getting rid of level crossings and building the Metro Tunnel.

"We're investing more than any government in Victoria's history to transform our public transport system and get passengers home safer and sooner," Ms Allan said.

"This massive investment will see upgrades to power, track, stations and modern signalling along this new end to end rail corridor and will pave the way for more trains, more often."

[ozbob]

9 News --> Opposition flags new rail link for Victoria

The Victorian opposition has flagged plans for a second regional rail link, to help speed up trains from the state's south-east.

Nationals Leader Peter Walsh today told a meeting of party faithful in Shepparton that the Coalition would look to unclog the busy Dandenong rail corridor, which is shared by both suburban Metro trains, and regional V/Line services.

"We'll invest in the Gippsland rail service, so that Gippsland has a faster service, a more reliable service, and you won't be stuck behind Metro trains from Pakenham," he said.

"We've had the regional rail link for Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong, we need to find the equivalent of that for the Gippsland line."

The $3.65 billion Regional Rail Link was opened in 2015, giving V/Line services dedicated tracks between Southern Cross Station and Sunshine, with new tracks taking trains to Geelong via Wyndham Vale and Tarneit.

But Mr Walsh conceded the push to build dedicated tracks for Gippsland trains had been made harder by the construction of Skyrail, which has taken up much of the existing rail reserve.

"Skyrail has effectively taken away the future-proofing of that project, and we'll do the work to find an alternate way that Gippsland can actually get a dedicated line into Melbourne somehow," he said.

Statistics from Public Transport Victoria show that in the past 12 months, 33.4 percent of Bairnsdale trains ran late, while 22.2 percent of services from Traralgon failed to arrive on schedule.

The Opposition announcement was welcomed by Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen, who said Gippsland passengers had long complained about delays caused by track congestion.

"It does make sense to look at adding extra tracks or a different route, and it could also provide express paths for outer suburban trains, as well as freight," he said.

But he warned the project was likely to cost a significant amount of money.

"Politicians on both sides have a habit of talking big, and then only funding planning studies," he said.

"They're going to need to make sure they fund any studies with action and funding for construction."

[ozbob]

^  it will cost billions to get another rail route into Melbourne for VLiners.  They have lost their opportunity by not doing a third line as part of Sky Rail works.  It was pointed out that this was very myopic but that's politics.

I think what will happen as the train frequency ramps up on the Pakenham/Cranbourne lines the number of train paths for VLine will be come restricted and even more problematical than it is now.  I can see that VLine may well end up starting and terminating at Pakenham.  Don't forget there will be the new High Capacity Trains running in from Pakenham.  This was suggested a few years ago and the natives went ballistic about it but unless they find the billions for more rail access (unlikely) this will happen sooner than later I am sure.  By starting and terminating at Pakenham they will be able to increase the frequency on the Gippsland services too.

[SurfRail]

Caulfield to Dandenong shouldn't present any issues (including the elevated bits), nor should South Yarra to Flinders St as once MM1 is built there will be a spare track pair.  The issue is Caulfield to South Yarra, and not being able to get Gippsland trains into Southern Cross.

[verbatim9]

New Frankston Station coming along

https://twitter.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/993040709044207616


Note: There is an error with mobile apps when referring to a twitter url.  Need to remove anything after ? eg. ?s=09

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Victoria to get $8b for new roads and rail

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/PaulFletcherMP/status/993365504113852416

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsMelb/status/993371616187793409

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/adamlcarey/status/993394330524991488

Tomorrow's budget will unlock billions for two new rail lines and one rail extension in Melbourne, plus hundreds of millions more to boost regional rail services for Gippsland and Geelong.

With $1.75 billion committed to the North East Link, the Turnbull government has also bought a stake in the Andrews government's signature road pledge, to build the so-called missing link in Melbourne's Ring Road.

For once, the federal budget will be a boon for Victoria. ...

[verbatim9]

Wow! They are amazing projects for the Melbourne basin.

Melbourne Age --> Victoria to get $8b for new roads and rail

[SurfRail]

None of these projects have a business case.   

[matlock]

None of these projects have a business case.   

Meanwhile, IA is splitting hairs over the CRR business case. At least we actually have one!

But politics is politics. Can't have the Liberal Feds giving the Labor state govt a point, even if they did pull half their act together.

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/next-steps-for-north-east-rail-line-upgrade/

Next Steps For North East Rail Line Upgrade

Minister for Public Transport

12 May 2018

Community consultation is about to commence on the $235 million North East Line upgrade Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack and Victorian Minister for Public Transport and Major Projects Jacinta Allan said today.

Mr McCormack said the North East line steering committee, chaired by Transport for Victoria, met this week with partners including the ARTC, V/Line, Public Transport Victoria, Rail Projects Victoria and VicTrack, with discussions continuing to be productive between all parties.

"The Committee is finalising the scope of works and delivery schedule, which will include an independent review of the works by Monash University, to provide further rigour and assurance that the scope will deliver on the Commonwealth's $235 million commitment to upgrade the line to achieve Victorian Class 2 standard performance," Mr McCormack said.

"This will support the running of new modern trains on the line which the Victorian Government has committed to delivering.

"Community consultation on the works will begin in less than a fortnight, with the ARTC and Transport for Victoria to present at the upcoming Hume Corridor Passenger group meeting on Thursday 24 May to provide an update on the North East Rail Line project."

Consultation will continue for several weeks in the lead up to the release of the delivery schedule.

Mr McCormack said community engagement was essential in the project's delivery and said the Committee was committed to hearing from community leaders and other key stakeholders to finalise the upcoming schedule of community engagement.

"Separate to the North East Victorian line upgrade, I am also pleased to advise the ARTC are investing in additional track tamping works throughout May and June to improve V/Line passenger service performance."

Victorian Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan welcomed the progress made by the steering committee and the cooperation with the ARTC to consider options to improve the immediate passenger experience.

"With several train faults, delays and cancellations over a number of months, the Victorian Government has also asked V/Line to review the causes and provide advice on what steps needed to be taken to provide a better service for both passengers and staff," Ms Allan said.

"There are a range of factors that contribute to poor V/Line performance such as track condition, signalling faults, passenger delays and rolling stock maintenance. This data is also being used to inform and prioritise the scope of works and the delivery schedule for the North East Line project.

"It's great to see community consultation commencing and agencies working together on what we can do now to provide a better passenger experience.

"Once we have the scope and schedule of works finalised, the Victorian Government will know the timeframe for new trains to be ready on the upgraded track."

The North East Line upgrade is part of the $1.7 billion Regional Rail Revival program. For more information visit www.regionalrailrevival.vic.gov.au

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/GrahamCurrie1/status/995509147704741888

[not_available]

How hard is it really, any fancy form of car will not fix anything 

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/plan-ahead-for-ballarat-line-upgrade-work/

Plan Ahead For Ballarat Line Upgrade Work

Minister for Public Transport

Passengers on the Ballarat line are reminded to plan ahead this month, as a works blitz on the half-a-billion-dollar Ballarat Line Upgrade gets underway.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack and Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said V/Line services on the line would soon be replaced with coach services to enable more than 350 people to work around the clock for five days on the project.

Mr McCormack said great progress had already been made on the project and thanked passengers for their understanding as this vital work was delivered.

"Significant work has already been undertaken along the line between Caroline Springs and Millbrook, with more than 200,000 hours being completed on the project since construction began in late 2017," he said.

"This half-a-billion investment in the Ballarat line will bring more frequent and reliable services for passengers and we thank people for their understanding as we progress construction on this project."

While trains are not running, work will progress on the Millbrook passing loop, with around 750 metres of rail being shifted to create space for new track.

Crews will install safety fencing so construction can begin on the new 4.5-kilometre Ballan passing loop. The two new passing loops will boost reliability and enable extra services to run on the line.

The works blitz also includes relocating underground services, extending six-metre long drainage culverts under the tracks between Caroline Springs Station and Melton South, and installing two new rail turnouts along the line.

Ms Allan said as services are not currently running, V/Line has made arrangements to ensure passengers can get where they needed to go as quickly as possible.

"Crews will be working around the clock over five days, to get critical construction done while trains are not running," she said.

"Trains will continue to run between Southern Cross Station and Caroline Springs during these works and this arrangement means passengers can get to their destinations faster."

While construction on this essential project continues, coaches will replace Ballarat, Ararat and Maryborough trains for all or part of the journey from Saturday 16 June to Wednesday 20 June.

Trains will continue to run between Caroline Springs and Southern Cross Station during these works.

This means disruption will be minimised for passengers travelling from Wendouree, Ballarat, Ballan and Bacchus Marsh, particularly during peak periods, as coaches will not get caught up in traffic over the West Gate Bridge.

Passengers are urged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time while these works are underway. Train services will return to normal on Thursday 21 June.

A range of express and 'all-stations' replacement coach services will be available and a temporary timetable will be in place.

Passengers can plan their journey at vline.com.au or by calling 1800 800 007.

The Ballarat Line Upgrade will transform the state's second busiest regional train line and will be completed in late 2019. It will enable much-needed extra services in the morning and afternoon peak periods, plus a train every 40 minutes off-peak for growing communities along the line.

The Australian Government has committed $502 million and the Victorian Government $55 million to the upgrade of the Ballarat Rail line as part of the jointly-funded $1.75 billion Regional Rail Revival program.

====================

I am plan to travel to Ararat via Ballarat on the  2nd July.  Good that works will be finished on 21st June!

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/works-set-to-improve-seymour-and-shepparton-lines/

Works Set To Improve Seymour And Shepparton Lines

Minister for Public Transport

30 July 2018

Major maintenance and renewal works will kick off next month on the Seymour and Shepparton lines as part of the Andrews Labor Government's work to get passengers where they need to go sooner.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said around 200 V/Line workers will complete $10 million of work to upgrade track, signalling and structures along both lines, to improve reliability across both lines.

From Saturday 25 August until Sunday 9 September, coaches will replace all Seymour and Shepparton trains to and from Southern Cross Station.

A bus plan will be developed to provide the most direct and convenient journey for passengers. Albury services will continue to run as per normal.

To minimise disruptions to passengers, these works will coincide with works on the Buckley Street level crossing removal to reduce disruption for passengers.

During this period, crews will be completing a range of works including replacing the station pit at Donnybrook, removing the existing track near the station platform, adding new ballast and laying new track.

Further works will involve platform renewal at Wandong Station, signal upgrades in Kilmore East, a bridge deck replacement at Dysart, culvert replacements near Mangalore, sleeper replacements in Murchison East and mud hole removals along the line.

Passengers are encouraged to plan their journey in advance and allow an extra 60 minutes travel time.

For Shepparton passengers, these works come on top of an extra $356 million invested by the Labor Government for the Shepparton Line Upgrade, which will pave the way for 9 return services every day and allow V/Locity trains to travel to Shepparton for the first time.

For more information and the temporary timetable visit vline.com.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"We're getting on with vital upgrades to track, signalling and stations along the Seymour and Shepparton lines to provide a more safe and reliable service for passengers."

"We've scheduled this work to reduce disruption and we thank passengers in advance for their patience – but it needs to be done to get locals where they need to go sooner." 

Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes

"The community has told us that we need to do more to improve the reliability and comfort along the Seymour line – and these works are an important step to achieving a better service."

Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp

"We're building new trains, better infrastructure and delivering extra services for regional Victorians. This government is looking after Northern Victorians, ensuring they get home safely."

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/more-trains-and-fewer-delays-on-the-hurstbridge-line/

More Trains And Fewer Delays On The Hurstbridge Line

Premier 1 August 2018

Commuters on the Hurstbridge line will have more trains, more seats and fewer delays with a re-elected Andrews Labor Government to continue its massive upgrade of the Hurstbridge line.

The Andrews Labor Government said it would deliver locals in Melbourne's north-east more peak hour train services and less time stuck at boom gates, and we have.

The first stage of the Hurstbridge Line Upgrade has been delivered – six months early and on budget. This includes the new Rosanna Station, duplicated track between Heidelberg and Rosanna and the removal of the dangerous level crossings at Alphington and Rosanna.

There's more to do and only Labor will deliver the next stage of the Hurstbridge Line Upgrade to give local commuters more train services and a more comfortable commute.

The $530 million project will include a brand new train station at Greensborough and the duplication of three kilometres of track between Greensborough and Montmorency, and 1.5 kilometres of track between Diamond Creek and Wattle Glen to allow more train services during the morning peak.

This will allow trains to run every six and a half minutes at Greensborough, every 10 minutes at Eltham and Montmorency, and every 20 minutes at Hurstbridge, Diamond Creek and Wattle Glen – as well as two extra Hurstbridge express services.

Locals on the Labor Government's new Mernda line will also get five extra train services during the morning peak, with a major upgrade of the Clifton Hill junction where the Mernda and Hurstbridge lines connect.

Labor will also protect the Eltham Trestle Bridge – the last remaining timber bridge on Melbourne's electric train network – which has local heritage protection and is an important part of the area's character.

The Liberals will leave this bridge to rot and demolish the nearby childcare centre and football club with their under-cooked and under-costed promise to upgrade the Hurstbridge line.

Only Labor will protect this important piece of Melbourne's history with planning work to be carried out for a long-term solution as part of the project.

Stage two of the Hurstbridge Line Upgrade will create more than 950 jobs, with construction to start in 2020 and finish by 2022.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

"We said we'd upgrade the Hurstbridge line and remove dangerous and congested level crossings at Rosanna and Alphington and we did – but there's more to do."

"Only Labor will deliver the next stage of the Hurstbridge Line Upgrade with a new Greensborough Station and more trains, more often."

Quote attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"The former Liberal Government promised new train lines but didn't deliver a single kilometre of track – now they're promising a half-baked upgrade of the Hurstbridge line with rubbery figures that don't add up."

Quote attributable to Member for Eltham Vicki Ward

"As a fifteen year old hopping on Red Rattlers at Eltham I wanted to do something to make the Hurstbridge line better. It's taken me a few decades but finally our line will offer the frequency of services that are expected and needed in a 21st century city."

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Labor promises $530m to expand Hurstbridge line in marginal seats

Trains will run every six and a half minutes at Greensborough in Melbourne's north-east, with the Andrews government promising to duplicate single sections of track running through marginal seats if it wins the November election.

For $530 million, Labor has promised to rebuild Greensborough station and add three kilometres of extra track between Greensborough and Montmorency.

The line will narrow to a single track as it passes through Eltham Station and duplicate again at the next station, Diamond Creek, for a 1.5 kilometre stretch to Wattle Glen.

It will be built in 2020 and finished by 2022, benefiting commuters in the marginal, Labor-held seats of Eltham and Yan Yean.

It follows Opposition promises earlier this year to duplicate the track from Greensborough to Eltham for more than $300 million.

Premier Daniel Andrews, who oversaw the first stage of Hurstbridge line upgrades that duplicated track between Heidelberg and Rosanna, said only Labor could be trusted to carry out the next phase.

"Only the people who delivered stage one of the Hurstbridge line upgrades can be trusted to deliver stage two and that, is of course Labor," Mr Andrews said on Wednesday morning, flanked by Eltham MP Vicki Ward and Yan Yean MP Danielle Green.

Trains would run every 10 minutes at Eltham and Montmorency, every six and a half minutes at Greensborough and every 20 minutes at Hurstbridge, Diamond Creek and Wattle Glen. Two extra Hurstbridge express services will also be added.

Mr Andrews said he was confident the single section of track that runs on the century-old Eltham Trestle Bridge would not cause bottlenecks.

It was not being expanded to preserve the nearby oval and childcare centre — sites that would be threatened by the Opposition's "undercooked" plan, he said.

"[The Coalition] can't have spoken to too many locals when they came up with this plan because it simply doesn't make any sense to be intruding on the footy club, essentially wiping them out. The childcare centre would have to go as well, and this historic asset [the bridge] would be left simply to rot."

But Liberal candidate for Eltham Nick McGowan shot back, claiming the government's plan would "create the bottlenecks of the future" and make 10-minute services from Eltham impossible.

The Coalition would add the extra tracks through Eltham alongside the historic bridge. While this could eat into a section of the oval, it would not impact the local football club or child care centre, Mr McGowan said.

"They're scaremongering and they know it," he said of Labor.

Labor is also promising to add an extra five morning peak hour services to Mernda after it frees up capacity at the Clifton Hill junction, where the Hurstbridge and Mernda lines meet.

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said this would significantly boost capacity to Mernda — a new station on the South Morang line built by the government, which will open in late August and is expected to add an extra 8000 daily commuters to the line.

"It will involve some realignment of tracks, it will involve some signalling work as well to get more efficient train pathways on what is already a bottleneck," Ms Allan said.

The government removed two level crossings on the Hurstbridge line this year at a cost of more than $400 million and duplicated a 1.2 kilometre single section of track for $140 million. Two extra peak -hour services are set to run next month.

Eltham resident John O'Brien said upgrading the train line was necessary, and he would "weigh up" Labor and the Coalition's competing rail promises before deciding how he would vote this November.

At the 2014 election, Labor won Eltham on a 0.8 per cent margin.

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/regional-rail-revival-major-packages-out-to-market/

Regional Rail Revival – Major Packages Out To Market

Minister for Transport Infrastructure

27 March 2019

With the half-a-billion-dollar Ballarat Line Upgrade in full swing, work on the rest of the $1.75 billion Regional Rail Revival is set to expand across the state with a major package of works out to market.

Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack and Victorian Minster for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan today announced contractors would be sought to deliver major upgrades on three regional rail lines.

Mr McCormack said the Ballarat line's transformation is the first Regional Rail Revival project to get underway and similar upgrades would soon be replicated on other regional lines across Victoria.

"I'm delighted to announce we're seeking Expressions of Interest to design and build the bulk of the Gippsland Line Upgrade, Shepparton Line Upgrade, and Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade," he said.

"Packaging these projects together will mean works on these crucial regional upgrades can get underway and allows the most capable and experienced construction companies in Victoria to compete for this multi-million-dollar package of works."

Ms Allan said more than a year of planning and design work had taken place to reach this important milestone and get these projects out to market.

"The specialist project teams at Rail Projects Victoria have undertaken extensive investigations to determine the infrastructure needed to deliver benefits to passengers on these lines," she said.

"We've seen the unprecedented construction taking place along the Ballarat line, including upgrades to signalling and level crossings, crossing loops, station upgrades, duplicated track and stabling and this project is a sign of what's to come on the Shepparton, Bendigo and Gippsland lines.

"These works mean more regional Victorians can look forward to better train services sooner."

The Gippsland Line Upgrade scope of works has been refined and finalised following details investigations and rail operations assessments by Rail Projects Victoria in the past year.

The project will include upgrading signalling, duplicating track, extending a crossing loop, adding platforms at four stations, a stabling facility, modernising train detection at level crossings and renewing the drainage structures underneath the rail to deliver huge benefits for passengers.

These upgrades will enable more frequent services for Gippsland passengers, boost safety for motorists and train passengers, and improve the line's ongoing reliability and resilience issues.

Stage two of the Victorian Government-funded Shepparton Line Upgrade includes platform extensions and stabling to suit VLocity trains, level crossing upgrades and an extension of the Murchison East crossing loop, all of which will enable VLocity trains to travel to and from Shepparton for the first time.

This project will be delivered in stages, with the VLocity trains enabled as part of works on stage two, while work to enable nine return services will be part of a future stage three, with a business case currently under development.

"The Shepparton line is an important part of our network, which is why we're getting on with the work while we continue planning to deliver even more benefits for passengers," Ms Allan said.

"Passengers are already reaping the benefits of our investment in the Shepparton line, with 10 weekly services to be introduced on the line on Monday thanks to work on stage one of the project."

The contract also includes signalling upgrades from Bendigo to Epsom and Eaglehawk, to enable Bendigo Metro Stage 2 and give passengers in the City of Greater Bendigo a metro-style train service.

Planning and site investigations across the three lines are already well underway, with construction to begin as early as next year.

Construction on the Gippsland-Shepparton-Bendigo package of works is targeted for completion in 2022, subject to planning and environmental approvals.

The $1.75 billion Regional Rail Revival program, funded by the Victorian and Australian governments, will upgrade every passenger line in Victoria and will create more than 1000 jobs.

More information about the Regional Rail Revival is available at regionalrailrevival.vic.gov.au

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> State government could sell regional freight network to feds

The state's regional freight rail network could be sold off to a federal agency, with initial work undertaken to determine its value and condition — these are the Victorian rail lines under consideration.

A sell-off of Victoria's regional freight rail network to a federal agency has been floated amid preparations for long-term lease negotiations.

The Australian Rail Track Corporation currently operates the interstate freight railway lines which run through Victoria, and is negotiating with the state government for a new 99-year lease.

The Herald Sun understands Victorian bureaucrats have considered putting control of the state's other standard gauge freight lines — including the problem-plagued Murray Basin rail corridor — on the table in discussions with the ARTC. The Mildura line, the Maryborough to Ararat line and the Rainbow-Dimboola line were also considered.

While there are no immediate plans to sell off the lines, it is believed some initial work has been done internally to determine their value and condition.

It was revealed last week that the $440 million Murray Basin Rail Project had run out of funding, and that work to upgrade the Sea Lake and Manangatang lines would be delayed because urgent repairs were needed first.

Negotiations for a new long-term lease of Victoria's interstate freight lines — from Melbourne to Albury and Melbourne to Adelaide — are expected to take up to 18 months as part of the Commonwealth's Inland Rail project.

"The government has agreed with the Commonwealth to undertake these negotiations, which are in the very early stages," a state government spokeswoman said.

Opposition transport infrastructure spokesman David Davis said the government had "comprehensively botched the management of our country freight lines" in recent years.

"Through all that time it failed to maintain or neglected Victoria's regional freight lines, including our standard gauge lines. They have run them into the ground," he said.

"If these are flogged or surrendered, we won't see Victorian public control of these assets again in our lifetime."

Asked whether the ARTC would consider leasing other Victorian freight lines, corporate affairs manager Bas Bolyn said: "There are no formal discussions on this matter and no proposals are currently being considered."

"ARTC has a strong track record of effectively managing and operating rail networks across Australia," he said.

"We have an interest in ensuring that we grow rail's market share in Australia and regularly have conversations with industry, government and other interested parties around how that might be achieved."

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/upgrading-the-cranbourne-line-to-run-more-services/

Upgrading The Cranbourne Line To Run More Services

Minister for Transport Infrastructure

2 September 2019

The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with vital upgrades to the Cranbourne line, with works to remove the remaining level crossings and duplicate track starting next year.

The Labor Government has today announced the timeline for the Cranbourne Line Upgrade, which will remove the last four level crossings along the line and fully duplicate it to enable trains to run every 10 minutes.

These works include building a new Merinda Park Station with two new platforms and better facilities for the 1100 passengers who use it each weekday.

Worth more than $1 billion, the Cranbourne Line Upgrade will be delivered in stages to ensure works can be coordinated and completed efficiently. Work is already underway to build a new road bridge over the rail line at Evans Road, with the Greens Road level crossing in Dandenong South the next to go.

Located in a commercial and industrial area, the Greens Road level crossing will be removed by building a new rail bridge over the road, with detailed investigations confirming this as the most suitable design. Work will start in 2020 and the crossing will be gone by the end of 2022.

Work will also start next year to construct eight kilometres of new track between Dandenong and Cranbourne, removing single-track bottlenecks that stop us running more services. These duplication works – including the rebuilding of Merinda Park Station – will be completed by 2023.

Eleven level crossings have already been removed on the Cranbourne line, with further technical investigations and community consultation to come for crossings at Webster Street in Dandenong and Camms Road in Cranbourne.

These crossings will be removed by 2025 to make the Cranbourne line the first to be level crossing-free. About 39,000 vehicles currently travel through the remaining Cranbourne line level crossings each day, and that figure is forecast to grow by about 41 per cent to about 55,000 by 2026.

The Cranbourne Line Upgrade, together with the Metro Tunnel, will boost reliability, frequency with room for 121,000 extra peak hour passengers each week and travel times cut by up to 50 minutes a day. It also paves the way for a future extension of the line to Clyde, with planning already under way.

The Labor Government is also upgrading Thompsons Road and Hallam Road and delivering significant power, signalling and platform works to enable the rollout of bigger, better trains.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan

"Whether it is new stations, duplicated track or level crossing removals – we're getting on with these essential upgrades to run more trains, more often on the Cranbourne line."

"This unprecedented investment in rail and road for Melbourne's booming south east is vital to allow locals to get home safer and sooner."

Quote attributable to Member for Cranbourne Pauline Richards                                                                                 

"This is exciting news for our community – delivering a brand new station and room for more trains, more often."

Quote attributable to Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams

"We're investing over a billion dollars on the Cranbourne line – upgrading stations, removing level crossings and getting on with the work which will get you where you need to go."

[#Metro]

So in other words - Melbourne is building a metro.

1. Got rid of guards

2. Increased frequencies on selected lines, sometimes leading with 10 minute trains on weekends

3. Removed level crossings en masse.

4. Building a tunnel to untangle the network and separate lines.

Maybe automation - semi or full is next on the cards?

[verbatim9]

So in other words - Melbourne is building a metro.

1. Got rid of guards

2. Increased frequencies on selected lines, sometimes leading with 10 minute trains on weekends

3. Removed level crossings en masse.

4. Building a tunnel to untangle the network and separate lines.

Maybe automation - semi or full is next on the cards?

The aim will be in Melbourne to bring the  trains up to Metro standard (frequency).  They will no doubt forge ahead with further 100% complete grade separation and go driverless after the next decade.

Its run by a Hong Kong operator, trains over there are very frequent and efficient. They are pushing their know how and expertise. The message is getting through to the powers to be

[ozbob]

The Age --> Calls for major City Loop upgrade the equivalent to a '10-lane freeway'

Two short sections of underground track added to the City Loop could provide the equivalent of a 10-lane freeway through the heart of the city, an influential transport group says.

The Rail Futures Institute says in a new report that while it is good the state government is putting major funding into transport works like the $11 billion Metro Tunnel, these projects "are mostly 'catch-up' investments" that don't keep pace with Melbourne's growth.

In a 30-year plan for Melbourne's rail, tram and bus networks to be released on Monday, the institute proposes a $120 billion spend for public transport, including a range of fixes and new routes. The report warns that the massive population boom on Melbourne's urban fringe is perpetuating car-dependent, low-density detached housing that is too far from local employment.

"Most new outer urban growth is occurring in areas without adequate or planned provision of public transport," the report warns. "Without change in policy direction, the growth of car-based, outer urban development will further isolate the 1.5 million new residents from employment opportunities and access to services condemning them to ongoing car dependency on increasingly congested roads."

A key part of the think tank's ambitious network overhaul is a radical reworking of the City Loop.

Estimated to cost at least $2 billion, this City Loop upgrade would allow two new cross-city train routes to flow through the CBD. The upgrades would only happen once the $11 billion Metro Tunnel opens in 2025.

By building the two new sections of track – one between Flagstaff and North Melbourne stations, and another between Parliament and Richmond – an extra 20 trains could run in each direction through the city each hour, the group finds.

"That's the equivalent to a 10-lane freeway through the heart of the CBD", the institute's president John Hearsch said.

The reconfiguration of the City Loop, identified by the government in a key 2012 transport report as the "final stage in delivering the metro-style network", would see Craigieburn trains run through to Frankston, and the Upfield line travel to Glen Waverley.

The public transport plan would also see the suburban train network extended by electrifying tracks to Baxter and Clyde in Melbourne's south-east, Wyndham Vale in the west, Melton in the north-west and Wallan in Melbourne's north.

If Melbourne is to successfully accommodate projected growth, a step-change from sole occupant car use to public transport is essential.

Metropolitan train lines would also be extended from Lalor to Wollert and from Glen Waverley to Knox City, under the long-term vision for the train, tram and bus networks.

Since the 1990s, the Rail Futures Institute said Melbourne's population spread had been dictated by land development rather than transport and planning.

Decades of transport planning deficiency had led to the growth of car-dependent, low-density outer urban subdivisions beyond the reach of efficient public transport.

"Inadequate public transport and infrastructure have contributed to poor public health outcomes, social isolation, family violence issues, poor access to jobs, unacceptably long commuting times, traffic congestion and high infrastructure costs," the report says.

"If Melbourne is to successfully accommodate projected growth, a step-change from sole occupant car use to public transport is essential."

While Melbourne has a land-use plan, the institute says there is no complementary integrated long-term transport plan – despite such a plan having been government policy since 2010.

"Credit must be given to the high level of transport investment in Melbourne by the current state government," Mr Hearsch said. "However, the public projects are mostly 'catch-up' investments and are not keeping pace with Melbourne's growth."

The government's $50 billion Suburban Rail Loop project linking Cheltenham and Werribee in a ring around the city is a "bold" investment and a "welcome alternative to freeway proposals", the experts say.

But the report calls for an alternative plan that would use new and cheaper technology such as high-capacity trams or next-generation electric buses.

It also calls for several orbital routes, including connections between Elsternwick with Rowville via Monash, Sunshine and Altona via Footscray, and Monash University and the airport via Box Hill, Doncaster and Broadmeadows, among others. These routes would likely use light rail or high-capacity electric buses.

The experts call for a doubling of the tram network's capacity, including 12 tram extensions and new connections to train stations, especially in the northern and western parts of the CBD.

Trams must be given priority on congested Sydney Road, Victoria Street, Bridge Road, Swan Street, Toorak Road and Chapel Street, while hook turns should be created wherever feasible at traffic lights where cars and trams share road space to give trams more time to cross.

A spokeswoman for Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said the government already had "a $70 billion pipeline" of transport projects, and that this included the Metro Tunnel and the proposed Suburban Rail Loop around Melbourne's middle suburbs.

"The Metro Tunnel will untangle the City Loop and allow more trains to run more often and create more space to get you where you need to be sooner," the spokeswoman said. She said the Suburban Rail Loop project would "reshape Melbourne".

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Half-century-old plan behind major transport projects, advocates warn

A transport blueprint that is half a century old is still dictating planning in Melbourne, leading to hundreds more kilometres of road being built than new railway, public transport advocates warn.

The Public Transport Users Association said Melbourne's congestion was set to worsen if a car-centric road map drawn up by bureaucrats in the late 1960s continued to shape key infrastructure decisions.

Marking the 50th anniversary since the launch of the Melbourne Transportation Plan in December 1969, the lobby group's analysis of transport projects built in the years since shows that 320 kilometres of freeways or tollways have been built, with another 25 kilometres under construction.

By comparison, the suburban rail network has been expanded by only 72 kilometres, with another nine kilometres under construction.

Many of Melbourne's major highways can be traced back to the decades-old blueprint, including the Metropolitan Ring Road and the Eastern, Tullamarine, West Calder, Monash and West Gate freeways. The North East Link and the dumped East West Link also had their roots in the document.

The long-term vision pitched to successive Victorian governments suggested that 86 per cent of a proposed $2.6 billion (in 1968 dollars) be spent on more than 1000 kilometres of new roads, and the remaining 14 per cent spent on public transport.

Despite this, the document did call for some major public transport projects which have been built or are on their way to being constructed, including the City Loop and the removal of 80 level crossings.

It also called for rail links to Doncaster, Rowville, and an underground line through Fitzroy, which have gone unheeded.

The Victorian government does not have an official transport plan, despite this being mandated by law. Transport experts say this has resulted in the 1969 plan becoming the default blueprint for the network.

Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said despite many billions spent continually extending and adding lanes to freeways and tollways, traffic speeds had become progressively slower.

"The 1969 plan was predicated on population projections of 3.7 million by 1985, and based on now long-discredited thinking from US-based consultants that more motorways could solve traffic [congestion]," he said.

"This hasn't worked. Not in Melbourne nor in any other big city in the world.

"Melbourne is now at 5 million and still growing. We are beyond the size when roads and motorways are a viable way to move large numbers of people."

New taxpayer money allocated over the forward estimates in this year's state budget was mostly for roads, with a PTUA analysis finding that $17 billion was designated to roads, $12 billion to public transport (including level crossing removals) and $65 million to cycling and walking.

This pattern of investment was feeding a "long-term dependency on cars", which would simply generate more traffic while also creating more carbon emissions, Dr Legacy said.

Nearly three-quarters of Melburnians rely on a car to get to work.

The Andrews government is building the Metro Tunnel, and has committed to removing 75 level crossings and constructing the airport rail link, as well as the Suburban Rail Loop by 2050.

The government is also vastly expanding the road network by building the West Gate Tunnel, the North East Link and the Mordialloc Freeway.

"The government is looking to appease and accommodate the whole political constituency, including those who are wedded to their cars and those wedded to public transport," Dr Legacy said.

"But there is inconsistency about where we are going as a city.

"If the government wants to build the Suburban Rail Loop first in marginal seats of the south-east they should at least be able to point to where the project sits in relation to the wider ambitions of the transport network, and in relation to the West Gate Tunnel and North East Link. How does it come together as an integrated network?"

This had resulted in a "scattergun approach" to building infrastructure whereby politically motivated projects get built despite their contradictory outcomes for the city, Dr Legacy said.

"There is an attitude that we can't just stop and think about what we need to do, that we just need to get on and keep building and that's what gets this government over the line. They are seen to be a 'can do' government."

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said the government was working hard to "plan the projects of the future to keep our city and state moving".

"Whether it's removing level crossings, extending the line to Mernda, building the Metro Tunnel, building new trains or planning the Suburban Rail Loop, the Labor government is transforming our public transport network."

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Infrastructure Australia knocks back North East Rail line upgrade

Infrastructure Australia has announced that the current business case for the North East Rail Line upgrade is not nationally significant.

The business case, submitted by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), covers the 316km Victorian line from Melbourne to Albury, via Seymour and Wangaratta. The estimated cost would be $198.3 million.

In a statement, Infrastructure Australia noted that rail service disruptions are locally or regionally significant, but not of national importance. Infrastructure Australia's independent review of the business case found that the estimated benefits were overstated, while the business case itself said the costs would be higher than the benefits, highlighted chief executive of Infrastructure Australia, Romilly Madew.

"We know compared to other regional Victorian passenger lines, there is relatively poor punctuality, and reliability on the North East Rail Line. However, based on the current evidence available, the cost of the project would significantly outweigh its benefits."

The Commonwealth's independent infrastructure advisory board noted that 1,800 people use the line each day, however demand has fallen due to poor punctuality, while the neighbouring Hume Highway has been improved.

The lack of benefit to freight services was one reason that Infrastructure Australia turned down the project, along with the lack of new rail services, new rolling stock, or faster travel times.

Madew noted that a revised business case would be welcomed by Infrastructure Australia.

"We recognise the importance of good-quality regional rail transport to give people genuine travel choices and equitable service levels," she said.

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Contractor announced for Geelong and Warrnambool line upgrades

Upgrades to the Geelong and Warrnambool line will be carried out by Downer, Rail Projects Victoria announced.

As part of the $1.75 billion Regional Rail Revival program, Downer will deliver signalling upgrades between Waurn Ponds and Warrnambool and a new crossing loop at Boorcan to increase reliability and improve recovery times on the Warrnambool line.

On the Geelong Line Downer will construct a second platform, duplicated track, a pedestrian overpass, improved and new parking, bicycle storage facilities, and more CCTV, lighting, and myki machines.

According to Mark Mackay, executive general manager transport projects at Downer, the project will draw upon Downer's expertise.

"Our committed team of experts will deliver an integrated solution, future-proofed to minimise rework and maximise opportunities for passengers and the community," he said.

Construction will begin in mid-2020 and completion is hoped for by late 2021.

In addition, Downer will construct a new stabling facility at Waurn Ponds for the overnight stabling of V/Line trains for more frequent future services.

Elsewhere as part of the upgrades on the Regional Rail Revival program, planning works are being undertaken on Stage 2 of the Geelong Line Upgrade, which includes the Waurn Ponds Duplication Project. Track will be duplicated from South Geelong to Waurn Ponds, and level crossings will be removed at Fyans Street and Surf Coast Highway. South Geelong and Marshall stations will also be upgraded.

Downer will utilise its knowledge gained from the Waurn Ponds station in 2014, as well as work on the Bendigo station upgrade, and the High Capacity Metro Trains maintenance facility.

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Dual multimillion dollar contracts awarded for rail upgrades in south east Melbourne

Two contracts have been announced to begin work on improving rail connections in south east Melbourne.

The Level Crossing Removal Project announced that the duplication of the Cranbourne Line between Cranbourne and Dandenong will be carried out by two alliances.

The first alliance will bring together McConnell Dowell, Arup, Mott MacDonald, and Metro Trains Melbourne, for the section of track between Dandenong and Lynbrook. This contract will also involved the removal of the Greens Road level crossing in Dandenong South.

The second alliance will complete the track duplication between Lynbrooke and Cranbourne. This alliance comprises Laing O'Rouke, Jacobs, and Metro Trains Melbourne. The grouping will also build a new Merinda Park station and increase the size of the car park at Lynbrooke Station.

Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said that the work formed part of a larger suite of works.

"With 11 level crossings already removed along the Cranbourne line, we're getting on with delivering better services to more people in Melbourne's growing south east."

Works on the line duplication, new station, and level crossing removal will be completed by 2025 and allow for a future rail extension to Clyde. Services will be able to run up to every 10 minutes and once the Metro Tunnel is complete, new high-capacity trains will be able to transport 121,000 extra peak hour passengers per week on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.

"The Cranbourne Line Upgrade is just one of a suite of major road and rail projects easing congestion, improving safety and making journeys more reliable in the south-east," said Member for Cranbourne Pauline Richards.

According to program director, Steve Brown, the authority has been looking to get started on these major works.

"These projects are a huge priority for us, and we've been working hard to make sure they can start as soon as possible."

In a separate announcement, the Level Crossing Removal Authority advised that a level crossing in Melbourne's major commercial and industrial area will be removed in mid 2020 with the construction contract signed.

The contract will be delivered by an alliance of Fulton Hogan and Metro Trains Melbourne.

Early works to begin the South Gippsland Highway, Dandenong South level crossing removal are set to start soon.

The level crossing will be removed and replaced with a road bridge over the rail line.

Early works will include site establishment on South Gippsland Highway and underground services relocation.

Major works in mid 2020 will involved the construction of the new road bridge and the replacement of the busy intersection at South Gippsland Highway and Princes Highway with a fully signalised T-intersection.

A level crossing removal project (LCRP) spokesperson said LCRP will work to minimise local disruptions or community impacts while these works take place.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsMelb/status/1315193385423077376

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Rainbow to Dimboola line sleeper replacement work underway

Work has begun on replacing 39,000 sleepers on the Rainbow to Dimboola line in Victoria's North West.

V/Line crews with the support of contractors are conducting the works that are funded through the Victorian government's Building Works program which sets aside $83 million for regional rail maintenance.

Victorian minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne said the works would support freight movements and economic growth in the region.

"This investment will help improve our freight network and ensure we are continuing to support farmers and freight operators at a time when they need it the most," said Horne.

"We're continuing to maintain and improve the network, taking extra steps to allow projects like this to continue safely and help keep track workers, suppliers and contractors working."

In addition to sleeper replacement works, ballast will also be renewed and resurfacing will improve the condition of the track. Scheduling has aimed to minimise the impact on freight services using the line.

Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford said the works were essential with a large grain harvest expected this year.

"This upgrade will provide easier and more efficient ways for farmers to transport their goods ahead of what is expected to be a bumper grain harvest," said Pulford.

"The line has already been put to good use since re-opening in April, and this investment will make it even better."

The 66km line from Rainbow to Dimboola was reopened in April after a $1m investment to replace 5,000 sleepers. So far, 38 freight services have used the re-opened line, carrying 100,000 tonnes of grain and replacing 5,700 truck movements.

Heavy use of the line has led farmers to previously call for further reopening of freight lines servicing grain growers and other primary producers throughout regional Victoria.

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> North East Rail Line upgrade finished ahead of schedule

Finish now mid 2021

[kram0]

So much cash getting splashed in NSW and to a lesser degree Victoria on major rail projects, while here in Queensland we cannot even build CRR properly as the government are playing games and seriously cutting corners.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Butterfly flaps its wings in Montmorency – and upends $530m rail plan $

Hundreds of metres of new railway tracks promised by the Andrews government in Melbourne's north-east will no longer be built to save an endangered butterfly species.

The $530 million track duplication on the Hurstbridge line was promised before the 2018 state election. The upgrade would benefit commuters in two marginal, Labor-held seats of Eltham and Yan Yean.

The project involved duplicating about three kilometres of a single-track section between Greensborough and east of Montmorency station, and a separate 1.5 kilometre stretch between Diamond Creek and Wattle Glen.

Work started on the project late last year but was paused after a local spotted the endangered Eltham copper butterfly in remnant bushland near Montmorency station in January.

This prompted the Level Crossing Removal Authority to alert the federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment about the discovery.

The state government looked set to face a lengthy environmental approvals process to proceed with the works. Instead, the government ditched a section of its planned duplication that would have cut through the butterfly habitat. ...

[ozbob]

The Age --> OPINION Victoria's Big Build leaves planning out of the loop $  Jago Dodson

The federal government has rightly been criticised for allocating $600 million to suburban car parks, without clear rationale, assessment or due process, just days before the 2019 election caretaker period.

Yet in 2018 the Victorian government embarked on the $50 billion Suburban Rail Loop, a project far more expensive than the car parks, with far less scrutiny.

The Suburban Rail Loop was announced two months before the 2018 election caretaker period, based on almost no planning at all.

The proposed loop doesn't appear in Melbourne's key plans up to that date, such as the 2012 rail network plan, or the 2017 metropolitan plan. It is proceeding without a coherent rationale, business case or cost-benefit analysis.

This "build first, ask questions later" model, in which a rush to build big projects takes precedence over wise planning, has become the new normal in Victoria under the Big Build program.

Yet the Victorian Auditor-General has raised doubts about the lack of an overarching integrated transport plan guiding the spending. ...

[ozbob]

PTUA --> PTUA welcomes Auditor-General's report into Transport Planning

The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has welcomed the Victorian Auditor-General`s report into Integrated Transport Planning.[1]

The Auditor-General found that while the Department Of Transport has more than 40 separate plans and strategies, this does not constitute an integrated transport plan, as required by the Transport Integration Act.

PTUA spokesman Daniel Bowen said the PTUA supports the Auditor-General's calls for the State Government to ensure that an integrated transport plan is prepared and made public, as soon as possible.

"With the huge government investment in transport at the moment, it's crucial that it's all working towards a clear, shared goal. For example, given the enduring view that we should move towards zero emissions, and become less dependent on private car travel, a proper transport plan would consider whether widening the Eastern Freeway to 20 lanes actually contributes to that goal.

"Likewise, we should have a public transport system where all the different modes connect with each other seamlessly to get people where they need to go. This means an easy and accessible walk to the bus stop, a bus that's timetabled to connect with the local train, and level boarding at the tram stop.

"We all rely on the transport system for access to jobs, education, services and a myriad of other journeys. Better public transport services and effective transport planning are key to achieving sustainability and continued prosperity for Melbourne and Victoria."

[1] https://www.audit.vic.gov.au/report/integrated-transport-planning

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/sunshine-supercharged-melbourne-airport-rail-link-targets-take

Statement:

Sunshine supercharged as Melbourne Airport Rail Link targets take off

15 February 2022
Sunshine Station will be expanded to add a new regional platform by 2029, as part of its transformation into a transport superhub and the key connection point for the regions, Melbourne CBD and the airport.

The new regional platform will allow more regional services to stop, including Bendigo services, paving the way for the Western Rail Plan and complementing the Melbourne Airport Rail Link.

The announcement adds to previously announced Sunshine Station upgrades, including extending existing regional platforms to accommodate longer nine-car VLocity trains and a new, second concourse to make transfers easier between metro, regional and airport services.

The Sunshine Station project is part of the broader Melbourne Airport Rail Link project, which is being jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments.

Construction is only months away from starting to make trains to Melbourne Airport a reality, with the project team preparing for utility relocations to start mid this year, subject to final approvals.

Melbourne Airport Rail Link will establish new offices at Sunshine Plaza, bringing around 340 team members closer to the project and hundreds of potential customers to local Sunshine businesses.

Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan said the new platform is an investment in developing Sunshine as the centre of Melbourne's booming west.

"With most people travelling directly between the airport and their home, Melbourne Airport Rail Link route via Sunshine provides a solution that benefits most Victorians through good connectivity to the existing metropolitan and regional rail network," Minister Allan said.

"Pre-COVID, over 40 per cent of the 20,000-plus daily regional trips made to and from Melbourne Airport came from Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong.

"This is why supporting development of Sunshine's superhub and running airport services through the Metro Tunnel is so beneficial – it provides easy connections to these regions, to key city services and trips into the heart of the CBD in around 30 minutes."

Once Sunshine's transformation into a transport superhub is complete, trains will run every two to three minutes at peak times, including airport services every ten minutes and an approximately 11-minute trip to Melbourne Airport.

Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the Morrison Government had committed $5 billion to Melbourne Airport Rail Link.

"The Melbourne Airport Rail Link will provide fast, reliable train services between the airport and the CBD, and help manage the transport needs of Melbourne's growing population," Minister Fletcher said.

"The project will also help better connect regional centres such as Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo with Melbourne Airport via the Sunshine station.

"This is just one example of the Morrison Government delivering transformational infrastructure in Victoria as part of its record, $110 billion national infrastructure plan."

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Age --> Within 500 metres and every 10 minutes: Grand transport plan for Melbourne $

The incoming chief of the Committee for Melbourne says more Melburnians need to live within 500 metres of regular public transport to better connect the city's outer suburbs to the CBD.

Fewer than 22 per cent of Melburnians currently live within half a kilometre of a bus, train or tram stop where services come at least every 10 minutes. Mark Melvin, who compared the situation in Melbourne with that in the German capital – where 51 per cent of Berliners are close to good public transport – has called for a local goal of 40 per cent.

The new Committee for Melbourne chief executive said his organisation would push both sides of politics for commitments on housing and public transport ahead of November's state election. ...

[ozbob]

https://x.com/SharnelleVella/status/1735424830231748990?s=20