How suburban rail loop will change your suburb
Thousands of people are being canvassed about how the $50 billion suburban rail loop will reshape their area, with the massive project expected to include megahubs for shopping, work and entertainment.
VIC News
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Thousands of people are being canvassed about how the $50 billion suburban rail loop will reshape their suburb.
The massive project — the biggest in Australia’s transport history — could include megahubs for shopping, work and entertainment.
New parks would also be created.
Residents along the loop’s first stage, to run between Cheltenham and Box Hill, are being asked how the project could improve their area.
It comes as exploratory geology drilling is set to soon reach a depth of 4km across more than 100 boreholes.
Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan told News Corp: “The suburban rail loop will create thousands of jobs, take pressure off our transport network and connect regional Victorians to the world class health, education, and jobs precincts in Melbourne’s suburbs.”
“We’re not wasting a minute getting on with the planning, design work so we can get on with the first stage of construction – and we want all Victorians to have their say on the future of their local communities,’’ Ms Allan said.
New underground stations at Cheltenham, Clayton, Monash, Glen Waverley, Burwood and Box Hill will be built as part of the 90km loop’s first stage.
Surrounding precincts will be revitalised with shops and open space plus better connections to existing transport, cycling and walking paths and affordable housing.
Special references groups will be established to help plan what surrounding areas will look like.
Each will include two community representatives.
Construction on the suburban rail loop is due to begin in 2022.
It will eventually link all of Melbourne’s major rail lines from Frankston to Werribee via Melbourne Airport.
The stand-alone twin-tunnel loop will operate up to 40m underground and take up to 30 years to build.
There will be transport “super hubs” at Clayton, Broadmeadows and Sunshine allowing passengers to connect to regional services so those headed for the suburbs don’t have to travel through the CBD.
Netlink: engage.vic.gov.au/suburban-rail-loop-stage-one
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