A new train stabling yard will be built in Melbourne’s west, replacing an existing facility and making way for an extension of Wurundjeri Way as part of the West Gate Tunnel Project.
The new stabling yard will be located to the north of Wyndham Vale Station, replacing the existing stabling at the E-Gate facility near Footscray. The project is expected to start later this year and be completed by 2020.
It will involve the construction of a stabling yard, driver facilities and a bypass track connected to the Geelong line, which will allow trains to access the facility without delaying passenger services.
The stabling yard will have the capacity to house up to six V/Line VLocity trains and has been designed to cater for a further stabling expansion and a maintenance facility if required in the future.
“We’re investing in rail for regional Victoria. We’ve ordered 87 new VLocity carriages, we’re putting on more services and we’re continuing to build the infrastructure Victorians need,” state transport minister Jacinta Allan said.
“This stabling facility was planned for as part of the Regional Rail Link, which has improved capacity on the metropolitan network and reduced bottlenecks that once plagued regional lines.”
Once completed, it will enable V/Line to meet its interpeak stabling needs and increase capacity on the regional network.
State and Commonwealth planning approvals have been obtained for the project, which will be carried out by the Level Crossing Removal Authority.
The state government has conducted consultation with the local council and the community on the Wyndham Vale development.
“The presence of this infrastructure in our City means that much-needed, additional train services will be provided for commuters using the Wyndham Vale and Tarneit stations,” said the acting mayor of Wyndham, Walter Villagonzalo.
“The priority for Council will be to work with the State Government to ensure the visual amenity of the site is given due consideration whilst prioritising the new services.”