Construction work has begun on train stabling upgrades at Shepparton Station, stage one of a project to enable more services on the Shepparton Line.
The stabling upgrades will allow an additional passenger train to be stabled overnight at the station, making possible the introduction an extra daily return train service between Shepparton and Melbourne early next year.
These works will be accompanied by upgrades to the signalling and tracks, and the building of better access for train crews and lighting improvements to assist train inspections.
Construction is being carried out by V/Line on behalf of Rail Projects Victoria (RPV) and will be completed at the end of 2018.
“We’ve wasted no time getting to work on this upgrade, which will boost service options for passengers travelling between Melbourne and Shepparton from early 2019,” state transport minister Jacinta Allan said.
“Shepparton passengers have more to look forward to, with these works just the first step in a $356 million investment to bring faster and more frequent services to the line.”
The funding $356 million in state government funding for stage one of the Shepparton Line upgrades also provided for an additional 29 coach services per week between Shepparton and Seymour to fill gaps in the timetable.
An additional $313 million for stage two of the Shepparton Corridor Upgrade was provided in the 2018-19 Victorian Budget. These works will include upgrades to level crossings, signalling and track, as well as platform extensions and a new stabling facility enabling faster VLocity trains to run on the line.
The business case for stage three of the project is also being progressed. It will see the provision of nine return services a day between Shepparton and Melbourne. The delivery timelines for both stages two and three will be confirmed over the coming months.