Railway_Digest__February_2018

Victoria
Contracts signed for Ballarat line
upgrade
Contracts were signed in late December by a consortium comprised of
Lendlease, Coleman Rail and SMEC Australia, to deliver the $551.8 million
Ballarat Line Upgrade project.
Wendouree commuters are among the big winners from additional
works, which include a second platform and new tracks for the station.
The additional tracks will create space for trains to pass at Wendouree
station for the first time, removing the current problem that sees delayed
services from Melbourne terminate at Ballarat and passengers forced onto
replacement buses because trains cannot cross beyond Ballarat.
The upgraded Wendouree station will also include a new accessible
pedestrian link between the new and existing platform, and upgrades
to security, lighting and signage. The Wendouree station work is expected
to be completed by 2019.
An extra three kilometres of track between Bacchus Marsh station and
Rowsley Station Road in Maddingley has also been added to the Ballarat
Line Upgrade project, allowing trains to move in and out of the nearby
stabling facilities more quickly. This refinement removes the need to
duplicate track at Warrenheip and means less tree removal and excavation.
The change also includes a new station at Toolern, between Rockbank
and Melton, to service Melbourne’s booming outer-western suburbs.
The upgrade is part of the $1.57 billion Regional Rail Revival, funded
by the Australian and Victorian governments.
The Melbourne Metro Rail Authority, currently overseeing the Metro
Tunnel and Ballarat Line Upgrade, will lead delivery of the Regional Rail
Revival program, which includes upgrades to every regional passenger
line in Victoria.
Construction contractors and suppliers have been invited to register
their interest in working on the Regional Rail Revival projects by visiting
ballaratlineupgrade.vic.gov.au.
News
Bendigo and Eaglehawk station
upgrade update
The $15.8 million upgrade of Bendigo and Eaglehawk stations is one
step closer with the request for tenders released on Wednesday 20
December. (Bendigo station is located approximately 162 kilometres
from Southern Cross station on the Bendigo line. Eaglehawk station is
located eight kilometres from Bendigo on the Swan Hill line.)
The centrepiece of the project is a new pedestrian overpass at
Bendigo Station, with new lifts, ramp and stair access making it easier
for commuters to transfer between platforms and connect with other
forms of transport.
The design of the bridge reflects Bendigo’s heritage and will not
impact on the land used by the adjacent Bendigo Victorian Railways
Institute Bowling Club. Further refinements to the design will be made
as part of the design and construction phase, in consultation with the
City of Greater Bendigo and key stakeholders.
Further upgrades at Bendigo Station will see improvements to the
waiting area, toilets and customer service areas to make it easier for
people to move through the station. The Victorian government is also
planning for more growth in Eaglehawk by extending the platform by
100 metres to accommodate longer trains and building a new 60-space
car park with taxi and drop off areas.
Preliminary designs have considered the unique heritage of the area
and are the product of extensive community consultation, with around
80 local residents, businesses and commuters attending community
feedback sessions in Bendigo and Eaglehawk in October this year (see
September 2017 RD, page 21). .
Works will be completed in 2019 and are in line with the City of Greater
Bendigo integrated transport and land use strategy Connecting Greater
Bendigo, the Bendigo Station Improvement Plan and the Eaglehawk
Station Precinct Master Plan.
As part of ongoing maintenance of infrastructure on the North East line, Kilmore East Station is receiving a new roof. V/Line Clyde/EMD
locomotive N458 arrives, on time, with a Southern Cross Service (07.34 ex Seymour) at 07.58 on Tuesday 12 December 2017. Steve Munro
FEBRUARY 2018
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