Victoria’s South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication Stage 2 is progressing to the next step with the beginning of the Expressions of Interest process for contractors to deliver the project.
The South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication project is part of the more than $1 billion investment on a staged upgrade of the Geelong Line, which will deliver more frequent and reliable train services for commuters in South Geelong, Marshall and Waurn Ponds as well as support local jobs.
“It is exciting to see this important project out to market, bringing us one step closer to delivering critical upgrades to boost the number of train services on the Geelong Line and help create jobs.
“Geelong’s population is expected to grow by almost 50 per cent in the next 30 years and the Geelong Line is the busiest line on the regional network with patronage nearly doubling since 2009. This project will help meet the needs of this growing city,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said.
This project will include:
“This project will provide significant benefits for passenger along our State’s busiest regional rail line – delivering five trains every hour at peak times for South Geelong, Marshall and Waurn Ponds commuters.
“Removing these congested level crossings is a huge win for the community – it means less time waiting at boom gates and increased safety for road users, as well as an opportunity to improve the surrounding area with shared user paths, landscaping and other community amenity,” Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said.
According to Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson, upgrades on the Waurn Ponds Station upgrade – which is part of the Stage 1 of works – are progressing well.
“Construction will begin in the coming weeks on the new platform, track duplication and accessible overpass to allow more services to be extended to and from Waurn Ponds.
“The project has already provided opportunities for local businesses, with Norris Construction Group and R Slater & Sons involved in the early works,” Senator Henderson said.
Geelong Line passengers can expect upgraded facilities such as new second platforms and accessible overpasses at South Geelong and Marshall stations.
“In addition to upgraded station facilities, this project will include a business case for Stage 3 to upgrade the 400-metre-long rail tunnel between Geelong and South Geelong – to deliver more train services and greater frequency as part of a future stage of this vital project,” Victorian Member for Geelong Christine Couzens said.
Feedback from local businesses and residents will be vital for the project’s final design.
“We’re looking forward to engaging with the community as we design the project to make sure it delivers for a growing Geelong community, ahead of construction kicking off in 2022,” Victorian Member for South Barwon Darren Cheeseman said.
Expressions of Interest for the delivery of the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Stage 2 project will close on March 2021. For more information, you can visit the Buying for Victoria website.
Source: Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Regional Rail Revival