The Victorian government has awarded a $534 million contract to the Rail Infrastructure Alliance (RIA) for the delivery of the next stage of upgrade works on the state’s Sunbury Line.
The works will provide upgrades to the rail network’s power system, including overhead electrification works between Sunbury and South Kensington and at South Yarra, and signalling power upgrades.
This is the second package of works for the Sunbury Line that has been awarded to the RIA, which includes CIMIC Group’s CPB Contractors, John Holland,AECOM, Metro Trains Melbourne, and project owner Rail Projects Victoria.
CIMIC Group CEO Michael Wright said the company was pleased to continue work on the Sunbury Line Upgrade.
“Our end-to-end capability and major project experience enables us to deliver high-quality rail assets and world class public transport, supporting Melbourne and Victoria’s growth,” said Wright.
Mark McManamny, AECOM regional managing director for Victoria South Australia and Tasmania, said that he was delighted the Victorian government had entrusted his team with the planning and design works for the project.
“We are privileged to be involved in iconic projects like the Melbourne Metro Tunnel, where we have the opportunity to create a positive legacy for the communities in which we all live,” McManamny said.
The first package of works, which was awarded in August, will extend platforms, boost accessibility and build new stabling at stations along the line.
Overall the upgrade program covers platform extensions at every station between Sunbury and Footscray, wheelchair boarding platforms at eight stations, traction power upgrades and improvements to train stabling at Sunbury, Calder Park and Watergardens.
The project is designed to facilitate the operation of a fleet of 65 new high-capacity metro trains (HCMTs) to run all the way to Sunbury once the Metro Tunnel is opened in 2025.
The RIA has begun preparatory works on the first stage of the Sunbury Line Upgrade. These works include geotechnical, service and site investigations along the Sunbury rail corridor.
Further work will commence this year, with the upgrade project scheduled to be completed in 2023.