Australia’s federal budget includes more than half a billion AUD for rail infrastructure project in Melbourne and regional Victoria.

The sum of 558 million AUD is broken down into three projects:

• 320 million AUD for the Shepparton Line Upgrade
• 208 million AUD for the Warrnambool Line Upgrade
• 30 million AUD for planning and developing the Western Rail Plan

In addition, funding is being pulled forward for Phase 2 of the Waurn Ponds Duplication project (to South Geelong).

This funding will allow planning, development and procurement to be finalised so that construction can begin.

Shepparton Line Upgrade

The Shepparton Line runs between Tocumwal to South Cross on the western outskirts of Melbourne’s central business district. The upgrade works, which got underway in 2018, include stabling upgrades, additional services and a crossing loop to improve reliability.

Warrnambool Line Upgrade

This line connects Warrnambool with Melbourne. The upgrades along the line include new signalling, level crossing upgrades and a crossing loop at Boorcan. Once the upgrades are complete, V/Locity trains will be able to travel to Warrnambool.

Western Rail Plan

The Western Rail Plan is a fast, high-capacity rail connection for Victoria’s regional cities and growing suburbs. As part of the project for three large-scale connected projects: two new electrified metro lines to growth areas in Melton and Wyndham Vale; increased capacity between Sunshine and the CBD; and major investing for the Geelong and Ballarat lines to run trains at speeds in excess of 160km/h. This last project includes an investigation whether these lines should be electrified to run fast new electric regional trains.

Waurn Ponds Duplication

Phase 2 of the Waurn Ponds Duplication project will entail the duplication of the Geelong railway line between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds stations, which is 13km of track in total. The project will also see the removal of level crossings and upgrades to South Geelong and Marshall stations.

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