$1.52bn investment for VIC rail infrastructure projects

The Australian Government has announced a $1.52 billion investment in Victorian infrastructure which will help ease congestion and provide better rail services across the State.

“People deserve better public transport no matter where they live. This is why the Coalition is unlocking funding for major upgrades to rail in regional Victoria, creating over 1,000 new jobs,” Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said.

Majority of the funding – amounting to $1.42 billion – will be provided by the Australian Government, and the Victorian Government will provide $150 million to fund these works.

With this investment, new services will be added to a number of rail lines as well as slash travel times and upgrade station, including:

• Ballarat Line - $555.6 million
• Gippsland Line - $435 million
• North East Line - $140 million
• Surf Coast rail including Waurn Ponds duplication - $110 million
• Warrnambool Line - $114 million
• Bendigo and Echuca Line - $91 million
• Avon River Bridge upgrade - $95 million
• Murray Basin freight rail - $20.2 million
• Sheparton Line - $10 million

“We are building the roads and rail to ensure that Victoria has the top quality infrastructure it deserves, particularly to grow the regions and improve the liveability of Melbourne," Mr Chester said.

Source: Minister for Infrastructure and Transport