High-capacity trains coming to Sunbury as part of upgrade works

Works to prepare the Sunbury line for high-capacity trains will begin in coming weeks. But transport advocates want to see the level crossing removed first.

Commuters at Sunbury train station.

Massive works are due to start along the Sunbury train line.

The upgrades will start within weeks to prepare the corridor for high-capacity trains when the metro tunnel is built.

Site investigations for platform extensions and stabling upgrades will start within a month, with major works due to start by the end of the year.

The project, funded under the 2018/2019 State Budget, will deliver platform extensions to every station between Sunbury and Footscray.

There are also plans for wheelchair boarding at eight stations, as well as traction power upgrades and improvements to train stabling at Sunbury, Calder Park and Watergardens stations.

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Sunbury Train Association spokesman Paul Campbell said he wanted to see the level crossing removed first.

“It’s definitely a good project on the proviso the level crossing gets removed prior to these high-capacity trains going through,” he said.

“If you’re going to have a high-capacity train, you’d be expecting the level crossing be removed first. Otherwise the boom gates will be down more frequently.”

The $215 million project will pave the way for 65 high-capacity metro trains to run all the way to Sunbury when the Metro Tunnel is completed in 2025, connecting the Cranbourne-Pakenham and Sunbury lines.

Station platforms on the Sunbury line will be widened and the line’s capacity increased.

The new trains will be 20 per cent bigger than services currently running across Melbourne’s metropolitan network.

Mr Cambell said the boom gates at the Horne St/Gap Rd crossing already brought the centre of Sunbury to a standstill.

“Even as it is at the moment things are pretty packed, especially around peak times,” he said.

The State Government promised to remove the Sunbury level crossing by 2025, the same year the Metro Tunnel is due to be completed.

Leader >External images for file purposes of Sunbury train station. Sunbury , Victoria Picture Andrew Tauber

State transport infrastructure minister Jacinta Allan said the project was due to start straight away.

“The contract has been awarded and work will start within weeks. We’re not wasting a moment delivering these vital upgrades,” she said.

“Sunbury passengers will be some of the biggest beneficiaries of the Metro Tunnel and new high-capacity trains — and this project is a critical part of delivering those benefits.”