Engineering, Passenger Rail

John Holland secures Mernda extension

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews and public transport minister Jacinta Allan last week announced John Holland will build the nearly $600 million Mernda Rail Extension, which will include a new station near Hawkstowe Parade in South Morang.

Hawkstowe station will be built in addition to the two new stations announced prior to last week’s news, and will be built near Marymede Catholic College. The project also includes new walking and cycling paths, better bus connections, and train stabling in Mernda.

Andrews said the three stations are expected to be used by more than 8,000 passengers a day.

“We were elected to put people first, and we haven’t wasted a day in the last two years building the transport projects Victoria needs – to create jobs, reduce congestion and get people home safer and sooner,” Andrews said.

“The Mernda Rail Extension will change people’s lives for the better – creating work for thousands of people, and connecting one of Australia’s fastest growing communities to employment, education and the rest of Victoria.”

1200 direct and 1800 indirect jobs are expected to be created during construction. The line will support more than 70 ongoing jobs once trains are running, Andrews added.

Construction of the Mernda Rail Extension will begin next year, and trains are expected to be running on the new line by 2019. The state government will hold information sessions in December.