New $1b upgrade set to transform Cranbourne line amid construction blitz
A mammoth $1 billion upgrade to the Cranbourne line is finally underway, with buses to replace trains during a five-day construction blitz. Here’s how it will change commuters’ trips.
VIC News
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A massive $1 billion upgrade to Melbourne’s Cranbourne line is now underway, with buses to replace trains during a five-day construction blitz.
It comes as major work on two level crossings in Melbourne’s west are now due to start sooner than expected.
Commuters travelling along the Cranbourne line this weekend will be ferried on replacement buses until the last train on Sunday as work ramps up on a duplication of the railway.
Crews will build new power, signalling and drainage along one of Melbourne’s busiest rail corridors from Cranbourne through to Greens Rd.
Over the next month, a huge piling rig will also drill foundations for a 400m rail bridge over Abbotts Rd.
Once finished, the line will be able to handle capacity for trains to run every 10 minutes as intended once the Metro Tunnel is completed.
Its expected this will add room for 121,000 extra peak hour passengers every week.
Merinda Park station will also be totally rebuilt as part of the project.
“These projects are vital to get people home sooner and safer in one of the fastest growing communities – and busiest train lines – in Victoria,” Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards said.
After months of assessment, authorities will also announce on Saturday that crossings at Fitzgerald Rd, Ardeer and Robinsons Road, Deer Park have been fast tracked for removal by 2023.
Boom gates at both sides can be down for 45 per cent of the morning peak despite up to 52,000 vehicles passing through these areas every day.
There have been 18 misses between trains and cars at the two locations since 2012.
The Ardeer crossing will be replaced with a road overpass while crews will dig a road underpass to improve traffic in Deer Park.
Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said Cranbourne line would also be the state’s first train line to be free of level crossings.
“We’re delivering the projects that will keep Victorians moving and keep local people in jobs as our state moves through and beyond the pandemic,” she said.
“The Deer Park and Ardeer level crossing removals are just part of a huge suite of major road and rail projects easing congestion, improving safety and making journeys more reliable in our booming western suburbs.”
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