A $518 million upgrade of the Ballarat Line is to be headed by the same body which is overseeing the construction of Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel project.
The Melbourne Metro Rail Authority (MMRA) has been appointed to deliver the project, which aims to provide more frequent services to Melbourne’s western suburbs, Melton, Bacchus Marsh, Ballan and Ballarat.
The upgrade involves doubling the single-track railway between Deer Park and Melton, and three kilometres of track west of Warrenheip, creating three new crossing loops, removing five level crossings, creating new stabling facilities and building additional platforms at Bacchus Marsh and Ballan stations.
A nine-kilometre twin-bore tunnel below Melbourne’s city centre, the Metro Tunnel project will create additional rail capacity in and out of the city.
Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said: “Melbourne Metro Rail Authority is delivering the biggest public transport project in Melbourne, and it will now deliver the biggest project in regional Victoria as well.”
“You can’t electrify to Melton and run more services to the western suburbs and regions without building the Metro Tunnel and duplicating the line – that’s why we’re not wasting a minute and getting it done.”
