Sunbury and Cranbourne lines win big in State Budget’s transport splurge

The commute on the Sunbury and Cranbourne lines will get quicker and more comfortable after a suburban transport splurge in the state budget. See how your trip will improve and where the next level crossing removals will be.

Commuters on the Sunbury and Cranbourne lines have won big in the state budget.

A $2.1 billion upgrade of the Sunbury line to prepare for high-capacity Metro Tunnel trains is part of a $27.4 billion program of works to reshape the suburban transport system.

Station platforms on the Sunbury line will be widened and the line’s capacity increased to create room for an extra 113,000 peak passengers weekly.

It is expected to cut travel times by up to 40 minutes to Parkville and St Kilda Rd on the completed Metro Tunnel.

A further $750 million will duplicate the Cranbourne line, doubling the number of peak trains.

North East Link, the missing link between the Eastern Freeway and the M80 Ring Rd, will have its $15.8 billion cost fully funded.

Expected to create more than 10,000 construction jobs and to open in 2026-27, the tolled project will include new Eastern Freeway lanes and 25km of new and improved walking and cycling paths.

An extra $608 million will be spent upgrading local roads, including $22.6 million to fix some of the busiest and most congested intersections.

The suburban transport investment also includes $6.6 billion to remove another 25 level crossings.

A $300 million investment for the ambitious Suburban Rail Loop project has been confirmed to enable planning and technical investigations.

Treasurer Tim Pallas said the 90km loop, from the Frankston line to the Werribee line via Melbourne Airport, will have a dozen new underground stations.

“This project will change the way we travel, the way we work and the way we connect … it will revolutionise the way we plan and deliver intergenerational projects in the state,” he said.

Station platforms on the Sunbury line will be widened.

Among other projects, $547 million will deliver the next stage of the Hurstbridge line upgrade, duplicating 4.5km of track and building bigger stations at Greensborough and Montmorency.

The tram network will get an extra 10 locally-built E-class trams costing $162.8 million, while 18 three-car VLocity trains built at Dandenong for $340 million will be used for the regional rail network.

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More car parks costing $150 million will be built at the busiest stations in Melbourne and regional areas, and $83 million will be spent upgrading train communications systems, such as drivers reporting accidents or illnesses on board.

Preparation for Melbourne Airport Rail is underway, with detailed development work expected in 2020.

The state and federal governments have pledged up to $5 billion each for the project that will run from the CBD via Sunshine.

Regional rail network improvements include stabling and maintenance facility works at Wyndham Vale, Ballarat East, Bendigo and South Dynon.

No money has been set aside for a mooted tram link between Docklands and the emerging Fishermans Bend urban renewal precinct.

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