Engineering, Passenger Rail

Hurstbridge line upgrade begins

Work has begun to remove two level crossings and duplicate a section track on the Hurstbridge line.

The $395 million package of work, known as the Hurstbridge Line Upgrade, is being conducted by a consortium of Laing O’Rourke, Fulton Hogan and Jacobs.

Public transport minister Jacinta Allan joined member for Ivanhoe Anthony Carbines at Heidelberg on March 16.

The track duplication will run from Rosanna to Heidelberg.

Duplication will include the construction of a second tunnel to run alongside an existing one.

The project also includes the removal of the Lower Plenty Road level crossing in Rosanna, the construction of a new railway station at Rosanna, and the removal of the Grange Road level crossing in Alphington.

The consortium will also install associated power and signaling along the new track.

“We’re delivering more frequent and reliable trains right along the Hurstbridge line and work starts now,” Allan said.

“Dangerous and congested level crossings and sections of single-track don’t belong on a modern train network. They’re relics of the past and we’re getting rid of them.”

“We said we’d remove these level crossings and run more trains,” Carbine added. “We’re keeping our promise and getting it done.”

Allan said the project will support around 1000 jobs during peak construction, including more than 30 apprentices and trainees.

Over the coming weeks, construction crews will establish work sites, remove vegetation and relocate underground services, she said.

The project will be complete by 2019.