Passenger Rail

Ballarat Line Upgrade added to Metro Tunnel team’s portfolio

Victorian public transport minister Jacinta Allan says a dedicated project team within the existing Melbourne Metro Rail Authority will officially oversee the $518 million upgrade of the state’s Ballarat Line.

The MMRA is currently overseeing delivery of the Metro Tunnel under Melbourne’s CBD. Allan on November 9 said the Authority has some of Australia’s most experienced rail experts, positioning it perfectly to deliver the upgrade.

The Ballarat Line project includes duplication of the line between Deer Park and Melton to run to more frequent and reliable services to Melbourne’s outer western suburbs, Melton, Bacchus Marsh, Ballan and Ballarat.

Allan said the MMRA is also well placed to deliver the project as the Metro Tunnel and duplication from Deer Park will enable future electrification of the line to Melton – creating a new metropolitan train line into the city.

“Melbourne Metro Rail Authority is delivering the biggest public transport project in Melbourne, and it will now deliver the biggest project in regional Victoria as well,” the minister said. “You can’t electrify to Melton and run more services to the western suburbs and regions without building the Metro Tunnel and duplicating the line – that’s why we’re not wasting a minute and getting it done.”

The Ballarat Line Upgrade will also duplicate a three kilometre section of single track west of Warrenheip, build new crossing loops and create new train stabling to support more frequent, reliable services through Melbourne’s west and communities along the Ballarat line. It will also build second platforms at Bacchus Marsh and Ballan stations, and the existing platforms at Rockbank Station will be extended so passengers can use each carriage to get on or off the train.