Mernda will receive test trains 6 months earlier than planned, with the Victorian government announcing that work on the $600 million rail extension to the growing suburb in Melbourne’s north-east is ahead of schedule.
Work has been underway on the new rail line for approximately a year, having begun in late April 2017. The project includes the construction of three new stations, three rail bridges and two underpasses, as well as a train stabling yard at the end of the line.
The names of the three new stations have also been announced: Mernda Station, Hawkstowe Station and Middle Gorge Station.
8,000 commuters a day are expected to use the new stations every day, easing traffic congestion along Plenty Road.
State transport minister Jacinta Allan said that the test trains would be travelling along the new line by September this year.
“We’re getting it done – Mernda Rail Extension is ahead of schedule, creating thousands of jobs and giving people in our fastest growing suburbs the transport they deserve,” Allan said.
“Work has progressed well and we expect to begin testing trains by the end of September. It’s a wonderful result for communities in Melbourne’s north.”
Over 21,000 cubic metres of basalt rock has reportedly been excavated from under McDonalds Road and South Morang Station, while new rail has been arriving on overnight rail trains to South Morang.
Work on the project is to intensify over the coming months, with extensive signalling and electrical systems works, station building construction and track installation required for train testing to begin ahead of schedule between South Morang and Mernda.
The government has said that a timetable for the opening of passenger services along the new line will be released in the coming months.
Who came up with ‘Middle Gorge’, that’s in Yarrambat, the station is in South Morang