The upgrade of the Hurstbridge Line in Victoria will continue with a $530 million investment for Stage 2 that will duplicate more tracks and deliver a new train station. This follows the completion of Stage 1 of the Hurstbridge Line Upgrade that was delivered six months ahead of the projected completion.
The second stage of the Hurstbridge Line Upgrade will include a new train station at Greensborough as well as the duplication of approximately three kilometres of track between Greensborough and Montmorency, and 1.5 kilometres of track between Diamond Creek and Wattle Glen.
These track duplication will be allowing more trains to run during the morning peak, with trains running every six and half minutes at Greensborough; every 10 minutes at Eltham and Montmorency; and every 20 minutes at Diamond Creek, Wattle Glen and Hurstbridge. The duplicated tracks will also allow two extra Hurstbridge express services to run.
This project will also provide commuters using the new Mernda line five extra train services during the morning peak, with the Clifton Hill junction - where the Mernda and Hurstbridge lines connect - to be given a major upgrade.
Under this development, the Eltham Trestle Bridge - the last remaining timber bridge on Melbourne’s electric train network - is going to be protected due to it having local heritage protection and it is also an important part of the area’s character.
“As a fifty year old hopping on Red Rattlers at Eltham I wanted to do something to make the Hurstbridge line better. It’s taken me a few decades but finally our line will offer the frequency of services that are expected and needed in a 21st century city,” Member for Eltham Vicki Ward said.
The Hurstbridge Line Upgrade Stage 2 is expected to create more then 950 jobs.
Construction on this stage of the upgrade is projected to commence in 2020 and completed by 2022.
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Source: Premier of Victoria, The Age, ABC News