EOIs for $1.75bn Regional Rail Revival in VIC released to market

More works on Victoria’s $1.75 billion Regional Rail Revival program are set to go underway soon with Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to build and design three regional rail lines released to market.

The next three rail lines to be upgraded include the Gippsland Line, Shepparton Line and the Bendigo and Echuca Line.

“Packaging these projects together will mean works on these crucial regional upgrades can get underway and allows the most capable and experienced construction companies in Victoria to compete for this multi-million-dollar package of works,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said.

To get the projects out to market, intensive planning and design works were conducted for more than a year.

“The specialist project teams at Rail Projects Victoria have undertaken extensive investigations to determine the infrastructure needed to deliver benefits to passengers on these lines.

“We’ve seen the unprecedented construction taking place along the Ballarat line, including upgrades to signalling and level crossings, crossing loops, station upgrades, duplicated track and stabling and this project is a sign of what’s to come on the Shepparton, Bendigo and Gippsland lines,” Minister for Transport infrastructure Jacinta Allan said.

The Gippsland Line Upgrade is a $530 million project and it will include:

• Building a new rail bridge over the Avon River in Stratford

• A second platform at Bunyip, Longwarry, Morwell and Traralgon stations

• Track duplication between Bunyip and Longwarry, and sections near Moe, Morwell and Traralgon

• Level crossing upgrades along the line

• Signalling upgrades at Traralgon

• Building a larger train stabling facility at or near Traralgon

• Extending the crossing loop at Morwell

Gippsland Line Upgrade (source: Regional Rail Revival)

The Shepparton Line Upgrade is a $356 million project, with works to be delivered in two stages. Works will include:

• Stabling upgrade at Shepparton Station (Stage 1)

• 29 extra coach services between Shepparton and Seymour to connect with train services (Stage 1)

• New stabling at or north of Shepparton to house VLocity trains (Stage 2)

• Platform extensions at Shepparton, Mooroopna, Murchison East and Nagambie stations (Stage 2)

• Signalling and track upgrades to enable trains to travel at up to 130km/h (Stage 2)

• Crossing loop extension near Murchison East (Stage 2)

• Upgrades to 54 level crossing between Seymour and Shepparton (Stage 2)

In addition, the stations at Donnybrook and Wallan will also be upgraded with improved amenities to cater to the growing local community.

Shepparton Line Upgrade( source: Regional Rail Revival)

Lastly, works on the Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade will include:

• Track upgrades to increase the maximum train speed between Epsom and Echuca from 80km/h to 130km/h

• Signalling upgrades from Bendigo to Epsom and Eaglehawk

• Level crossing modifications between Epsom and Echuca

Bendigo and Echuca Line Upgrade (source: Regional Rail Revival)

Construction on the three projects are anticipated to begin next year, with planning and investigations already underway.

The Gippsland-Shepparton-Bendigo package of works is expected to be completed by 2022.

The $1.75 billion Regional Rail Revival program is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments, and it is expected to create over 1,000 jobs.

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Source: Premier of Victoria; Regional Rail Revival (1, 2, 3); Mirage News