Victoria’s state government has committed to finding up to $11 billion to fund the Melbourne Rail Link.
More than half of the $24 billion allocated to public transport spending in the Victorian State Budget will fund rail projects in the region, including the Melbourne Rail Link which will see twin 7.5-kilometre tunnels constructed between Southern Cross and South Yarra stations.
The project also includes building new underground stations at Fishermans Bend and Domain, new underground platforms at Southern Cross and South Yarra and a rail link to Melbourne Airport.
Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder said: “Our flagship public transport project, the $8.5-$11 billion Melbourne Rail Link, will reduce delays, improve reliability and boost capacity across the network by up to 30 per cent.
“The Melbourne Rail Link will be the biggest investment ever in our metropolitan rail network.”
The chief executive of the Australasian Railway Association (ARA), Bryan Nye OAM, said: “I am encouraged by the announcements for rail in this budget and how strongly it has featured in Premier Napthine’s plans for the state, in particular its capital city Melbourne.
“In the $24 billion announced for road and rail infrastructure projects, $14.5 billion more than half, is for rail.”
