West Footscray station undergoes Metro Tunnel upgrades

COMMUTERS in Melbourne’s west would no longer be crammed or forced to wait lengthy periods for a train under new Metro Tunnel improvements.

COMMUTERS in Melbourne’s west would no longer be crammed or forced to wait lengthy periods for a train under new Metro Tunnel upgrades.

Works have ramped up at West Footscray station with a new platform to be built.

A turnback will also be added to the tracks allowing services to start and end at the station, rather than travel further down the line during peak periods.

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The platform upgrade is set to ease overcrowding for the Sunbury line, particularly for CBD bound passengers at West Footscray, Middle Footscray and Footscray stations.

More frequent services will be a part of the plan.

“The planned upgrades at West Footscray station will generate more regular services and reduce overcrowding at busy stations in the inner-west such as Footscray during peak periods,” Footscray state Labor MP Marsha Thomson said.

The Rail Infrastructure Alliance (RIA) works will allow for an additional 113,000 passengers each week on Sunbury line trains.

Passengers will save up to 20 minutes in each direction when travelling through the Metro Tunnel.

More train services are bound for Melbourne’s west as part of the Metro Tunnel upgrades.

The turnback upgrade will allow services starting at Sunbury to turn around in the event of a fault inside the tunnel.

“The Metro Tunnel will see more trains running across Melbourne’s rail network, including the Sunbury line — improving reliability, easing overcrowding and slashing travel times to some of the city’s key destinations,” Ms Thomson said.

CPB Contractors managing director Juan Santamaria said the company had a strong presence in Victoria, which would provide locally-based engineering support to the RIA project.

Service and site investigations were recently undertaken at West Footscray station in preparation for the planned upgrades.

Train disruptions are expected during the works with replacement bus services in place.

The majority of RIA works are expected to finish in line with the completion of the tunnels and stations in 2025.

Rail Projects Victoria staff will be at West Footscray station this week to answer questions from the public.

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