Djilang Alliance has been appointed as the preferred contractor to deliver the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication project in Victoria.
The project will enable more services and improved reliability on the Geelong Line. It includes duplicating approximately eight kilometres of track and signalling upgrades between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds to deliver additional services from Marshall and Waurn Ponds stations.
The level crossings at Fyans Street and Surf Coast Highway will also be removed, with new elevated rail bridges built to reduce congestion and improve safety for the 36,000 vehicles that travel through the section daily.
The stations at South Geelong and Marshall will be upgraded with new station buildings and landscaped forecourts, second platforms, accessible pedestrian overpasses and more than 200 new parking spaces at Marshall.
Concept designs were released last year. More than 500 locals provided feedback, with further community consultation to take place in coming weeks to inform the final design of the project.
Early works on the project will soon begin, including the relocation of the Barwon Water pipeline, which will allow key sections of track to be duplicated between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds.
Major construction will then start later in 2022, with the project targeted for completion in late 2024.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the project would provide a boost for local rail infrastructure.
“The South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication will provide a huge benefit to passengers, while creating jobs and providing a much-needed boost to the economy,” he said.
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said the works at Fyans Street and Surf Coast Highway would help to deliver fast and more reliable services.
“Removing these level crossings and building elevated rail bridges will provide a huge benefit to the community – slashing travel times and easing congestion for thousands of motorists as they travel throughout the area,” she said.
The Australian and Victorian governments are investing more than $1 billion in rail upgrades between Geelong and Waurn Ponds, as part of an investment of more than $4 billion in the Regional Rail Revival program.
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